Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock

Capriol Suite (1926)

by Peter Warlock (1894–1930)

Arranged for 7 Flutes, Alto Flute, and Bass Flute, by L. M. van Burken

Peter Warlock was the pen name of British composer Philip Arnold Heseltine. He was a music

critic, editor, and serious scholar of early music. Heseltine used his real name for his writing and

reserved "Peter Warlock" for his musical compositions and arrangements.

Capriol Suite, written in 1926, was originally a collection of six dances for string orchestra, all

inspired by Renaissance music. Each of the six movements is based on melodies from a manual

of Renaissance dances by a French priest named Jehan Tabourot (1519–95). While the suite

incorporates these Renaissance dance tunes, Capriol Suite is really more of a fresh composition

than a straightforward arrangement. Warlock takes a lot of creative freedom with the original

melodies, turning them into something entirely new and different from their historical roots.

In this piece, you’ll hear a blend of Renaissance dance forms with 20th-century harmonies,

creating a unique and captivating example of neo-Renaissance style in music.

Performance Notes:

Lean into the dissonances; they are intentional.

The tempo markings are suggestions.

While this arrangement was originally written for a large flute choir, it can be adapted to

various ensemble configurations.

The ensemble should be organized into four sections, as the parts within each section are

closely related:

Section 1: Piccolo, Flute 1, Flute 2

Section 2: Flute 3, Flute 4

Section 3: Flute 5, Flute 6

Section 4: Flute 7, Alto Flute, Bass Flute

Note: The Flute 7 and Alto Flute parts are identical, so either one can be omitted if

necessary.

Watch Capriol Suite performed by Tutti Flutti Flute Ensemble - Scrolling Score