Flute Concerto [CF:ME26]

Ritchie's Flute Concerto (1993) is a lyrical and quietly searching work that seeks simplicity of life and clarity of conscience. The first movement (Allegretto) is energetic in style, with a bubbling first theme, a darker second theme, a percussive middle section and a cadenza. The slow second movement (Lento) is lyrical and improvisational in style and features a solo for bass clarinet. The third movement (Allegro) is like a sequence of dances with different characters, bound together by a buffeting crotchet rhythm.