This flute recital was inspired initially by former UWS flute teacher, Mrs. Frances Leek. After Mrs. Leek passed in 2013, I was invited by her daughter to review and preserve any materials that remained from her home studio. I found wonderful, detailed notes from masterclasses, correspondence with flute makers and other flutists, a composition of hers and programs from numerous recitals. Her love of learning, teaching and collaborating jumped off the pages! One of the pieces from her program that I was inspired to perform is the wonderful Duo for Flute and Piano by Aaron Copland. At one time this work was programmed frequently, but I have not seen it on a program for many, many years. It so happens that this work is also a favorite of Katie Sandor, who taught flute at UWS after Mrs. Leek and is herself a graduate of UWS. She performed this very piece on her senior recital, having studied it with Mrs. Leek. Katie also just happens to be the wife of Alex Sandor who will be playing piano on this recital. The other piece from her programs that I thought would be fun to include has always been a favorite of mine - the wonderful, showy, and dramatic Fantasie Pastorale Hongroise, Op. 26 by Albert Franz Doppler. Fran was a trailblazing woman of her generation and took pleasure in supporting new works and artists. I think she would have been thrilled to perform another of the pieces on the program - the Sonata in C# minor by the French woman composer, Mel Bonis. Although this piece was published in 1904 and dedicated to the famous Paris Conservatoire flute teacher, Louis Fleury, most of Bonis’ works fells into obscurity after the first World War until recently. It is a large-scale 4 movement work, full of poetry and a late romantic-impressionistic atmosphere, showing the flute in what it does best. Cellist Betsy Husby helps us bookend the program with two wonderful Flute, Cello, and Piano trios – the elegant Sonata in E Major, BWV 1035 by J.S. Bach and the delightful Trio by Bohuslav Martinu. -Melanie Sever
