Flower Duet

Description

Flute 1, Flute 2, Soprano — Performance Notes by Jeanne BaxtresserThe duet “Viens, Mallika” from Léo Delibes’ opera Lakmé is one of the most enchanting pieces of music I have ever heard. Realizing it would make an equally beautiful duet for two flutes, I made this transcription to have the pleasure of playing this sensuous music with fellow flutists.The opera takes place in India during the time of the British Raj. The duet occurs very early in the opera when Lakmé, an Indian princess, and her attendant, Mallika, sing of the “enthralling loveliness” around them as they gather lotus flowers in an exotic garden by a little river. The mood is one of complete contentment and harmony inspired by the beauty of nature which surrounds them.Throughout the piece, the tone should be sweet and pure with a blending quality that enables the two flutes to sing together rather than competing tonally. Due to the expressive richness of the many parallel thirds, the voices should move together as two figure skaters dancing together on the ice. The melody of Lakmé (1st Flute) depends on Mallika (2nd Flute) for its true beauty to be realized.I recommend a gentle vibrato on the longer notes and no vibrato on the 16th notes. This will keep the sound of the flutes relaxed and natural.It is important to observe the tempo markings to maintain the natural flow of the phrase. The melody is so seductive, one is tempted to play it slowly just to make it last longer! But the beauty of the piece is its simplicity, and one must resist the impulse to adorn it with too much interpretation.In the middle section (beginning at bar 34), the tempo presses forward and the mood is a bit more agitated. This section can be played in a recitative style with a very expressive sound and line.Make every attempt to play the written dynamics so the melody remains fresh and alluring, even with all the repetitions.I have arranged this duet so it can be performed with a soprano voice singing the part of Lakmé (1st Flute), and a flutist playing the part of Mallika (2nd Flute). For this reason, the transcription has been kept in the original key. In this version the flutist (playing the 2nd part) should match the timbre and volume of the voice so that the two lines are always equal in importance and beauty.This exquisite duet has universal appeal, and I am delighted it can be added to the flutists’ repertoire. TranslationUnder the dense canopy of jasmine entwined with roseLet us go down to the riverBanks gay with flowersIn the cool of the morningCome, let us go down togetherGently we follow the enchanting streamAnd trailing a careless handBreaking the trembling flow of the currentWe will reach the edge of the sleeping waterTo the sound of birds singingUnder the dense canopy of white jasmineWe will thither togetherBut I know not what sudden fear overcomes meWhen my father goes alone to their accursèd cityI tremble with fright!May the god Ganesh protect him!Let us gather blue lotus at the lagoonWhere snowy-winged swans blithely frolicYes, let us gather blue lotus near the snowy-winged swans—Translated by J. Lambert