Flutes in Broadway / Musical Theater Orchestrations

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 3/1/15 at 11:40pm

I recently saw THE WIZ and got such a kick out of the crazy disco flutes, primarily in the "Tornado" sequence and "Emerald City Ballet."

A CHORUS LINE is another '70's show with some wicked flute parts.

Now I'm on a weird flute kick and was wondering what are some other shows with significant flute parts?

(P.S. sorry for the most random thread ever)

[seahag2]

Posted: 3/2/15 at 12:05am

The one that pops up immediately to me is R&H's Cinderella! And Green Finch and Linnet Bird from Sweeney Todd
Don't remember any other flute parts in particular but Seussical has some pretty different orchestrations (symphonic orchestra but with a twist).
Other favorites orchestrations of mine are Anything Goes, Porgy and Bess, and Ragtime.
I'll add more when I can think of them!
Sorry, I'm an oboe player so most of my favorites are somewhat oboe heavy (not always) but that also means that flute is right there in the music as well

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 3/2/15 at 12:14am

La Mancha, which shows off oboe to good advantage as well.

[morosco]

Posted: 3/2/15 at 12:42am

Very prominent in the "Put on a Happy Face" (Bye Bye Birdie) orchestrations by Robert Ginzler. So prominent that they have become known in orchestration terms as "Ginzler Flutes". Jonathan Tunick, a mentor of Robert Ginzler, seems to have orchestrated an homage to Ginzler with Ginzler Flutes in "What Around for the Girls Upstais" (Follies).

Updated On: 3/2/15 at 12:42 AM

[Fantod]

Posted: 3/2/15 at 12:46am

There are lots of flutes in My Fair Lady. The song "You did it" uses them predominantly.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/2/15 at 8:07am

Love-Sick Serenade (The Happiest Girl in the World)
Dance (First Impressions)

[Marway44]

Posted: 3/2/15 at 8:27am

Like seahag said "Ragtime" does come to mind especially in Back to Before. Also, "Fiddler" uses a flute very often. It's most prominent in the entire wedding scene.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 3/2/15 at 1:32pm

As a former flutist (back in elementary and high school days) I always loved the use of it in the "Il Muto Ballet" in Phantom, and the solo in Sunset Boulevard that transitions us from Norma shooting Joe into the next morning and Norma's entrance in her Salome costume (though of the two I preferred the use of the "Surrender" melody on the London recording over the title song melody on the American recording)