In France the design and construction of flutes reached a point unmatched elsewhere in Europe in the nineteenth century, as Paul Taffanel, flute teacher at the Paris Conservatoire, developed a new flute-playing technique. Composers were willing to compose works to display the new brilliance and virtuosity that resulted.

These composers ranged from the great ones such as Debussy and Fauré to ordinary composers, such as François Borne (1840 - 1920). He was an expert on flute design and playing and used this specialized knowledge to write works ideally planned to display every bit of the player's virtuosity.

One of the best of his works is this Fantaisie Brillant on themes from Bizet's famous opera. In about 12 rapidly paced minutes, Borne runs through many of the great themes from this most popular opera. He has the most fun with the Habañera, which he not only sets brilliantly but pauses to add a pair of increasingly flashy variations.

The fantasy begins with the music of Carmen's first entrance in the opera, goes to the "fate" theme, the cigarette girls' song from Act I, the Habañera, and then builds up in excitement for the Gypsy Dance. Just as the piece seems ready to close, Borne trumps all that has come before with a triumphant statement of the one famous theme that has been missing in action so far, the Toreador Song.

There's nothing at all intellectual about this music, but it is a certain crowd-pleaser for flutists with sufficient technique.

© Joseph Stevenson, Rovi