Introduction

Abstract This catalog emphasizes the finest compositions for flute from each historical era, with considerable attention given to works by flutists. In general, this catalog includes “professional” quality literature; that is, music suitable for public performance. It includes very little purely pedagogical material, though some works, such as Kuhlau chamber music, may be of marginal interest to a general audience. The catalog includes music for piccolo, alto flute, and bass flute as well as for concert C flute. It includes some material originally written for flute choir, but does not include flute ensemble arrangements. (See the Selected Bibliography for other catalogs that do list large ensembles and arrangements.) The list includes both solo literature-accompanied and unaccompanied-and small chamber works. The general criterion for the latter was that the flute be the principal or one of the principal instruments; for this reason, woodwind quartets (flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon) and woodwind quintets (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn) are omitted. Very few of the ensemble works require more than five players.