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Julian Argüelles, one of the UK’s most respected jazz saxophonists and composers, wrote these 12 Etudes for the Modern Saxophonist as genuine solo pieces that you can perform. Each etude explores a particular area of saxophone technique while keeping a strong musical character. The result is material that works equally well for focused practice and as performance repertoire. These etudes work on any saxophone, whether alto, tenor, soprano or baritone. They cover areas such as intervals, rhythm, articulation, melody and extended techniques, making them particularly useful for university and conservatoire students as well as advancing players who want to develop both contemporary and traditional skills while building their solo saxophone repertoire.  About Julian ArgüellesJulian Argüelles first gained wider recognition as a teenager with the European Community Big Band and as a member of the influential Loose Tubes. He has since built a substantial international career, collaborating with leading artists including Dave Holland, John Taylor, Steve Swallow, Larry Grenadier, Jorge Rossy and Django Bates. Over the years he has released a strong catalogue of albums as a leader and received notable recognition, including the Fellowship of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for Services to Jazz in 2017 and a Parliamentary Jazz Award for his album Let It Be Told. He currently serves as Professor of Jazz Saxophone at the KUG Jazz Institute in Graz, Austria. A Standout PerformanceJoshua Hyde gives a clean and expressive performance of Etude No. 1. It shows how naturally the music flows when played with attention to phrasing and control.
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At Astute Music we are always delighted when a piece finds its way into the hearts of players. One such work is Respectfully Yours by Andy Scott – a short, lyrical gem for flute and piano that continues to grow in popularity, especially among flautists.  Written in memory of the remarkable British composer and pianist Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, the piece carries a quiet sense of gratitude. Andy Scott had the privilege of collaborating with Richard on several occasions, and this four-minute work feels like a warm musical “thank you”. Over gentle, melting piano harmonies, the flute sings a heartfelt melody with subtle jazz-inflected chords that give it a warm, reflective glow. The flute version is dedicated to the distinguished British flautist Paul Edmund-Davies, who gave the world premiere at Oji Hall in Tokyo on 23rd March 2016. It forms part of a fruitful collaboration between Andy and Paul that also includes the popular album The Bad Tempered Flute. This piece sits beautifully on the flute. It is approachable yet musically rewarding, offering emotional depth without excessive technical demands. Many players particularly enjoy it for recitals and concerts because it provides a lovely contrast – calm and singing, with space for beautiful tone and phrasing. It is also currently featured on the ABRSM Flute Grade 7 syllabus. Perfect for PracticeOne of the best ways to learn and enjoy the piece is with a high-quality accompaniment track. We are pleased to highlight this excellent PracticeWithPiano backing track, which gives you the piano part at performance tempo so you can play along at home: You can also listen to a lovely full performance by the ANIMO Flute and Piano Duo (Sarah on flute and Yanna on piano) on YouTube if you would like to hear how the piece flows in a concert setting. Whether you are preparing for an exam, building a recital programme, or simply looking for a beautiful modern British piece to add to your repertoire, Respectfully Yours offers something special. Its combination of lyricism, warmth and subtle jazz colouring makes it stand out in the flute repertoire.
Have you played Respectfully Yours yet? We would love to hear about your experience with the piece or any favourite moments in the comments below. Ready to explore the music? Shop Respectfully Yours for Flute and Piano (Printed copy or instant PDF download) |
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