"For Piccolo" for piccolo and piano

Jean-Michel Damase: "For Piccolo" was written in 2011 by commission of the National Flute Association (NFA) to serve as a competitive centerpiece for the NFA Piccolo Artist Competition.
It was premiered by Jean-Louis Beaumadier on August 21, 2011, at the NFA Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This short recital piece perfectly captures this signature French charm, treating piccolo with melodic grace and sophisticated wit.
Despite its delightful and airy demeanor, it is a highly challenging work intended for advanced players. The story of the piece relies entirely on an intimate, tightly woven dialogue where the piano and piccolo lines intertwine through intricate "ribbons" of texture. It demands perfect synchronicity, clean articulation, flexible embouchure control across all registers, and extreme rhythmic precision from both musicians.

Damase was fascinated by Beaumadier’s unique ability to make the piccolo sound lyrical, "sweet," and expressive, rather than merely sharp or piercing. Damase trusted Beaumadier completely to edit, finger, and dictate the performance traditions of his piccolo manuscripts for future generations of players.
In 2011, Jean-Michel Damase was entering the final chapter of his life and career. At 83 years old, he was a highly respected elder statesman of the French classical music community, living in Paris and continuing to work despite his advanced age. In 2011, he was still serving on the faculty of the École Normale de Musique de Paris (the very institution where he had studied under Alfred Cortot seven decades prior). He also continued to judge international panels, consult for musical organizations, and give select masterclasses.