Flute d’Amore or Mezzo-Soprano Flute
There are two odd flutes that go by the name Flute d’Amore. One is pitched in B-flat while the other is in A, respectively a major 2nd and a minor 3rd below the C Flute. These flutes are rarely seen, though, recent research has shown that a considerable amount of Baroque Traverso music was written for the Flute d’Amore in mind. Both the B-flat and A instruments are being manufactured, and can be obtained fairly easily. However, I fail to see where either instrument would be an advantage over the C Flute or Alto Flute.
The Habanera from Carmen by Bizet. A B-flat Flute d’Amore is playing the 2nd flute part.
Hasse Concerto in F for Flute d’Amore in B-Flat
Ravel’s Pavane. An A Flute d’Amore is playing the 2nd flute part.
Comparing the two videos by the same performers, the A has a slightly mellower sound than does the B-flat. The A is closer to the Alto and the B-flat is closer to the C Flute.
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