THE SOUND IMAGE OF THE FLUTE IN 20th-CENTURY COMPOSITIONAL EXPLORATIONS: BETWEEN TRADITION AND INNOVATION

This article examines the evolution of the flute’s sound image in 20th-century music through the interplay of tradition and innovation. It traces how the flute, historically associated with pastoral imagery, developed into a virtuosic and versatile instrument over the course of the 20th century. This transformation was driven by the emergence of new artistic styles (impressionism, neoclassicism, avant-garde) and the expansion of flute performance techniques. The author analyzes innovative compositional approaches—such as quarter-tone intonation, flutter-tonguing, glissandi, multiphonics, and percussive key effects—and their integration with traditional flute idioms in the works of leading composers. The study demonstrates that the adoption of these techniques significantly broadened the flute’s expressive palette and elevated its timbre to a key element of musical dramaturgy in contemporary compositions. Overall, the flute’s role in the 20th century shifted from embodying Romantic pastoral associations to serving as a vehicle for radical sonic experimentation, with the synthesis of traditional and innovative means in its usage reflecting the broader trends of musical art in the last century.