Schubert and Schumann
Schubert gives the flutes a good deal of solo work; sometimes he uses only one. The scherzo of the Ninth Symphony contains a delicious melody givenSchubert
and
Schumann to the flute: this was an afterthought. In the overture to Rosamunde von Cypern (op. 26) we find a remarkable scale passage for the flute alone. Important solo passages occur also in the overtures in Italian style and Des Teufel's Lustschloss. The Sixth Symphony (andante) has a Haydn-like passage for two flutes and two oboes; they are subsequently joined by the clarinet. He is skilful in contrasting the tone of the different wood-wind, and in the Rosamunde ballet music and entre-act makes the flute, oboe, and clarinet converse with one another in a most delightful manner. Schubert never uses the piccolo in his symphonies; but it is to be found in several of his (now-forgotten) operas, which also contain several important flute solos. As a rule he employs only the upper register of the flute, often ascending to the
Schumann, Symphony, No. 1, Cadenza.
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