A charming and rare recording of new chamber music showcasing the atmospheric sound of the lower members of the flute family.

Low Flutes are mostly a 20th century invention, yet the concept of extending a particular instrumental sound dates back to the Renaissance period, when recorder consorts, with bass and alto recorders were used frequently in performances. In recent times, the popularity of low flutes grew with the renewed interest in the flute choir and
flute quartet. Low flutes are basically members of the extended flute family, which play below the range of the standard orchestral C flute. These instruments include the alto flute in G (four notes below the C flute), the bass flute in C (one octave below C flute), the contrabass flute in C (two octaves below C flute, played in an upright standing position), and the sub-contra bass flute in C (three octaves below the C flute, played either sitting or standing). There are a few other low flutes not represented on this recording. These are the Pinschofon in C, bass flutes in F and G, and a extra large piped instrument known as the hyperbass flute. This unique recording
features predominantly commissioned chamber music for low flutes that was composed to showcase the lyrical and colorful tonal qualities of these instruments, hence, expanding their small, yet growing repertoire.

Visit Peter Sheridan's web page here.

“I am still basking in the beauty of Peter Sheridan's new CD, aptly titled Below. A real gem for those of us who love the lower voices of the flute family. In particular, the works of Gary Schocker and Alex Shapiro's stunning Below. Peter's beautiful and agile tone on the lower flutes is truly amazing.”

— Adrienne Albert (Composer) ,

“Peter Sheridan is a musician among flutists. The result is a complex and provocative recording, all thoroughly enjoyable.”

— Gary Schocker (Flutist/Composer),

“Peter Sheridan presents a kaleidoscope of flutes on this CD and honours every single flutemaker by playing their instruments so marvellously. In "Below" he appears to master my subcontrabassflute in a way I had never thought possible!”

— Jelle Hogenhuis - Designer of Low Flutes (Holland),

“Peter Sheridan is a world class flutist, demonstrating exceptional skill and artistry on contra flutes. His creative approach to these lower instruments shines forth in his extraordinary CD "Below: Music for Low Flutes" A "must have" CD for every flutist, especially flutists who specialize in low flutes.”

— Paige Dashner Long (Director of the New England Conservatory Summer Metropolitan Flute Festival Orchestra) ,

“I've never heard such virtuosic playing on the low flutes!”

— Katherine Hoover (Composer),

“Attractive performances which expand the possibilities of Low flutes, especially, the Bass and Contrabass flutes which give a very fresh inspiration and originality.”

— Shozo Ogura (Kotato Flutes Dealer, USA),

Winter Sun (excerpt) - Hilary Taggart download

Poppy (excerpt) from adventures under a leaf - Gary Schocker download

Below (excerpt) - Alex Shapiro download

A Small Sonata for a Large Flute (bass flute and piano) Gary Schocker

1 Moderato
2 Cantabile
3 Snappy

4 Irish in the Lowlands (bass flute, Irish flute-piccolo, and contrabass flute)

Virtuosic Etudes (arr. P. Sheridan)
5 Winter Sun (alto flute) Hilary Taggart
6 Allegro Vivace, Op 4 #18 (bass flute) Jules Demerssemann
7 Allegretto Vivo, Op 33 #8 (contrabass flute) Ernesto Kohler

8 Madrigal (alto flute and piano*)
Philippe Gaubert, Trans. by J. Sawoski

City Vignettes (contrabass flute, double bass, piano) Patrick Neher

9 Corner Encounter
10 Lunacite
11 Block Party

Adventures Under a Leaf (C flute and bass flute) Gary Schocker

12 Fern
13 Hosta
14 Mint

15 Monkshood
16 Poppy

17 Elegy (contrabass flute and piano) Bruce Lawrence

18 There is a Difference Between Apples and Men (contrabass flute and vibraphone) Vinny Golia

19 And the Giant began to Dance ... (sub-contrabass flute) Peter Sheridan

20 Below (contrabass flute and electronics) Alex Shapiro