Flute The flute is a family of classical music instrument in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, meaning they make sound by vibrating a column of air. However, unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is a reedless ...

viola The viola ( , also , ) is a string instrument that is bow (music), bowed, plucked, or played with varying techniques. Slightly larger than a violin, it has a lower and deeper sound. Since the 18th century, it has been the middle or alto voice of ...

and

harp The harp is a stringed musical instrument that has a number of individual strings running at an angle to its soundboard; the strings are plucked with the fingers. Harps can be made and played in various ways, standing or sitting, and in orche ...

are the instruments of a

chamber music Chamber music is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of instruments—traditionally a group that could fit in a palace chamber or a large room. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small numb ...

ensemble that has become common through the establishment of standard repertoire featuring this instrumentation.

Claude Debussy (Achille) Claude Debussy (; 22 August 1862 – 25 March 1918) was a French composer. He is sometimes seen as the first Impressionist composer, although he vigorously rejected the term. He was among the most influential composers of the ...

is often credited with writing the first piece of music for this ensemble, his Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp, L. 137 (1915); however, though that is a famous piece for the ensemble, the earliest known work composed for this trio of instruments is the ''Terzettino'' by

Théodore Dubois Clément François Théodore Dubois (24 August 1837 – 11 June 1924) was a French Romantic composer, organist, and music teacher. After study at the Paris Conservatoire, Dubois won France's premier musical prize, the Prix de Rome in 1861. He bec ...

(1905). Since its establishment as a trio in the early twentieth century, numerous composers worldwide have written works for the ensemble. The trio has gained popularity partly due to its unique

timbre In music, timbre ( ), also known as tone color or tone quality (from psychoacoustics), is the perceived sound quality of a musical note, sound or musical tone, tone. Timbre distinguishes different types of sound production, such as choir voice ...

: with its arco ( bowed) and

pizzicato Pizzicato (, ; translated as "pinched", and sometimes roughly as "plucked") is a playing technique that involves plucking the strings of a string instrument. The exact technique varies somewhat depending on the type of instrument : * On bowed ...

abilities, the viola bridges the gap between the smooth flute sound and plucked harp tones.

Early works for flute, viola and harp

The earliest two works composed for flute, viola, and harp are Théodore Dubois's ''Terzettino'' (1905) and Claude Debussy's Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp (1915). The ''Terzettino'' is a relatively short work in one movement lasting approximately five minutes, and its main theme is a lyrical, romantic-style melody. Considered to be a beautiful work because of its simplicity and elegant style, the ''Terzettino'' is sometimes programmed alongside Debussy's trio to showcase the contrast between the two. Written ten years after the ''Terzettino'', Debussy's famous sonata for these instruments is a multi-movement work that explores less-traditional tonalities and a wider range of emotions through its ethereal, transparent sound and careful interplay between the instrumental voices. Originally composed for flute,

oboe The oboe ( ) is a type of double reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites. The most common oboe plays in the treble or soprano range. A ...

, and harp, Debussy changed the planned instrumentation of his trio to make use of the viola's more flexible timbre that unifies the harp and flute sounds. Debussy's trio for flute, viola and harp is known a staple for the ensemble and the model that inspired other composers to write for the same instrumentation.Okajima, Shuri (2007).
A Comparison Between The Two Works For Flute, Viola and Harp by Toru Takemitsu and Claude Debussy: Influences of Debussy on Takemitsu and Similarities Between the Two Composers.
D.M.A. diss., University of Arizona. pp. 15-19. Both of these early works for flute, viola and harp demonstrate the ensemble's unique sound, paving the way for numerous trios by various composers in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

List of flute, viola and harp groups

* Auréole (United States) * Aurora Trio (United Kingdom) * Auros Trio (Germany) * Beau Soir Ensemble (Washington, D.C.) * Bohemia Luxembourg Trio (Luxembourg) * Cosmos Trio (United States) * Debussy Trio (United States) * Debussy Ensemble (United Kingdom) * Deciduous Trio (United States) * ensemble infini (Japan) * Ensemble Transparent (Finland) * Fire Pink Trio (United States) * Formosa Trio (Indiana, USA) * Giverny Trio (New Zealand) * janus trio (Brooklyn, NY) * La Mer Trio (United Kingdom) * Lorien Trio (Poland) * Los Angeles Harp Trio (United States) * Midnight Rose Trio (United States) * MirAnDa Trio (Netherlands) * Myriad Trio (United States) * Naiades Ensemble (United Kingdom) * New York Harp Trio (United States) * Pelléas Ensemble (United Kingdom) * Trilogy Ensemble (United Kingdom) * Trio Alexander (United States) * Trio Anima (Great Britain) * Trio Arcane (Switzerland) * Trio Charolca (Germany) * Trio Beau Soir (Québec, Canada) * Trio BECEL (Belgium) * Trio Lyra (Canada) * Trio Mallarmé (Germany) * Trio Medicis (Belgium) * Trio Momentum (Germany, Italy, Japan) * Trio Notturno (United States) * Trio Sospiroso (United Kingdom) * Trio Spiritus (France) * Trio Verlaine (Canada) * Triolet (Italy) * Turner Trio (France)

Selected works for flute, viola and harp

For standard flute, viola and harp unless otherwise noted

External links

References

{{Reflist Chamber music

Types of musical groups

Early works for flute, viola and harp

List of flute, viola and harp groups

Selected works for flute, viola and harp

See also

External links

References