Poem for Flute and Orchestra
Sunday, 16th of November 1919
Sandwiched between “Sinfonia Brevis de Bello Gallieo” translated into English, “Short Symphony based on the War in France” and Debussy’s Bereceuse Heroique is the quaint piece called Poem for Flute and Orchestra. Written by Charles T. Griffes the solo was performed by Mr. George Barrere principal chair of the New York Symphony Orchestra.
Charles T. Griffes, according to the Library of Congress, had an “important role in the development of the American art song” (https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035712). Born on the 17th of September 1884 as the third child of five to his parents, Wilber Griffes and Clara Tomlinson (https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035712). He started piano lessons at the age of ten, learning from his older sister, Katharine. He ended up starting his formal music training with his sister’s piano teacher at Elmira College at the age of fifteen (https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035712). With her support, Griffes traveled to Berlin to study to become a concert pianist. Notable professors who Griffes studied with include Engelbert Himperdinck and Gottfried Galston.After returning to America in 1907, Griffes took a job at the Hackley School for Boys as a music director. Even though Griffes despised his job, it gave him a stable employment that allowed him to compose with ease. (https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200035712)
In his compositions he worked with his fascination he harboured for French Impressionism. He liked the “exotic, mysterious sound” (of French Impressionism, namely Debussy among others) (https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/composer/charles-tomlinson-griffes/). He also studied Russian composers such as Scriabin and used synthetic scales. Some of his notable works also have Asian influences. These include the White Peacock, Sho-Jo, and The Pleasure Dome of Kubla Khan (https://www.pcmsconcerts.org/composer/charles-tomlinson-griffes/)
Another one of his well-known works include Poem for Flute and Orchestra. From an arranged piano and flute solo score of the piece available on the internet, we can see that George Barrere had arranged the piece. An article written by Irna Priore illustrate the preparation that was required to make the premiere successful (https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/I_Priore_Griffe_1996.pdf). According to Priore, Griffes attended the rehearsal to hear Barrere perform his piece. This piece (Poem for Flute and Orchestra) was dedicated (or as Priore puts it “instigated”) to Barrere. Griffes and Barrere are noted to have been good friends. It should also be noted that Griffes was also good friends with Walter Damrosch, the conductor of the New York Symphony Orchestra at the time. The concert and Griffes’ premiere was a success; Barrere received accolades for his performance of this piece. With this, Poem for Flute and Orchestra became a relatively well-known piece that remains a favourite to many flutists to this day.
Unfortunately for Griffes, only a few months after this successful premiere, Griffes fell ill. He was admitted to the Loomis Sanitorium in Loomis, New York. After undergoing a double lung operation, he succumbed to tuberculosis. He passed away only six months after Barrere played one of his most famous pieces. (https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/I_Priore_Griffe_1996.pdf)
Griffes was only 35 years old.
SOURCES
https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/g/go-gz/charles-griffes
