Mary Matthews - Flutelore (2025)

FLUTELORE, the latest album from flutist Mary Matthews and the Newfound Chamber Winds, invites listeners to delve into a world of folklore, fairytales, and proverbs through the evocative sound of the flute. Commissioned by Matthews in 2024, this album features two compelling flute concerti that explore a range of themes, from comedy and spirituality to the fantastical.

Cherise Leiter’s concerto, Four Proverbs, is a four-movement work inspired by proverbs from Kabir, Ida Outhwaite, Rumi, and traditional Latin sources. Leiter’s innovative approach expands the traditional boundaries of flute concerti and wind ensemble music by incorporating a diverse array of instruments and techniques, including alto flute, finger cymbals, shakers, body percussion, glockenspiel, and spoken text performed by both the soloist and ensemble members.

Nicole Chamberlain’s Animalis presents a three-movement exploration of fairytales and fables where the flute plays a central role in communicating with animals—calling, charming, or warning them of impending danger. This concerto employs extended techniques to vividly portray underwater scenes, dramatic chases, and dialogues between animals, showcasing both the solo flute and the chamber winds in a dynamic and imaginative soundscape.