In 1924 Roussel finally succumbed to Louis Fleury's repeated requests for a new flute piece and composed his Joueurs de Flûte. Instead of a sonata he opted for a suite in which he portrayed diverse flautists, all of whom, whether divine or human, represent their own world or culture. The use of ancient modes (Doric) and a raga opened the door to completely new spheres.

Good wine needs no bush. These four portraits of flutists from mythology and literature are very wellknown. This is the first...