Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

'A Flute Affair' is the debut recording of Marlene Verwey, a talented flautist from rural South Africa and the winner of the 2012 Sir James Galway Rising Star award. Indeed Sir James says of this album that it is "a beautiful recording and a pleasure to listen to" and who are we to disagree? The flute is by nature a gentle instrument - Jethro Tull not withstanding - which limits its repertoire. Frankly, to my ears at least, Piazola's Tango "Adios Nonino" sounds plain wrong on the flute but perhaps that is me. Coenie de Villiers' tranquil "Karoonag" (inspired by a night in the Karoo Desert) works very well as does Mozart's "Laudate Dominum". On the other hand Borne's "Fantasy on themes from the Opera Carmen" made me want to switch CDs and listen to the opera rather than a flute so I suppose you pay your money and make your choice.. Marlene plays very well indeed, some of the arrangements are excellent, but over all this is too bland for my taste and while she is a Christian it is difficult to see this as a Christian CD notwithstanding "The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba" and the aforementioned "Laudate Dominum". Flute fanciers should investigate but there is not too much here for the general listener beyond some good tunes well played but which generally sound better on the instruments for which they were written.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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