SKU: A0.1035207

The French violinist Henri Vieuxtemps wrote Souvenir d’Amérique, opus 17 for violin and piano, in 1843, during his first concert tour in the United States. This set of variations, based on the melody of the popular song Yankee Doodle, became the entertaining surprise encore piece at Vieuxtemps’ recitals. Its humorous spirit, together with its virtuosic firework displays and imaginative use of playing techniques, made Souvenir d’Amérique an instant audience favorite.

My flute  arrangement of this work is based on the original edition and the excellent arrangement for flute and piano made by the Italian virtuoso  Alberto Roberti (1833-1908). While adapting it for flute  and string orchestra, I realized that small compositional changes would be necessary to make it successful as a flute piece, at the same time, I always tried to preserve the composer’s original musical effects. I also added several register changes to the String orchestra  parts as well as dynamic indications.I very much hope that this brilliant musical gem will be a welcome addition to the flute repertoire and that it will give joy and pleasure to both the player and the listener.

James Strauss