Did you know that as an Australian flute player, I am spoilt for choice for repertoire? Not only do I have the standards from France, England and beyond, but I have a plethora of works written by Australian composers of all genres. From Miriam Hyde’s classic Flute Sonata of 1962 through to Bendigo composer Rohan Phillips’ 2001 composition, Invention (V), Australian flute players have so many options. Stalwart flute player Derek Jones is well known in Melbourne circles for his work as an educator and performer and for his versatility as a musician, and he has been slowly collating these Australian flute works and recording them in this series, Flute Perspectives. We are on Volume 3 now, and it continues to extend the musical life of these pieces for all flute players.

Composer Tom Henry has always been a delight to work with, and it is wonderful to hear his Sonata for Flute and Piano, along with Linda Verrier’s Sonatine for Flute and Piano and the two works mentioned above. Sandwiched in the middle is Johanna Selleck’s Déjà Vu (1994), which takes ‘flute techniques to the edge’. This series shows the musical community what a flautist can do when presented with challenging works. And for anyone who has read my previous reviews, you will understand how much I love opportunities like this to show off our Australian composers’ capabilities. Contemporary flute music can be an acquired taste, and this album will continue to stretch your ears and expand your mind.

Kate Rockstrom is a friend of Readings.