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Programme Note

Michael Nyman wrote Flugel and Piano for me during a period when I felt his approach to the writing and recording of his music was changing quite considerably. I had given him very few guidelines as I did not want to restrict his writing. I knew the result would be a difficult piece, as Michael had often said he likes to hear the performer 'fighting' the instrument. Flugel and Piano is a fight for a couple of reasons: firstly, the flugel does not like being played in the key of D sharp minor, especially with a trombone 'bucket mute' - unfortunately, this was all that I could find to fit over the larger flugel bell; secondly, the flugel enjoys being flat at the top register, making top Cs and Ds a nightmare! Michael's reaction on hearing the recording was that he found the piece surprisingly emotional.

© Graham Ashton