FlashNight
Niels Rosing-Schow
bass flute · electronics · ensemble · spatial sound
About the work
FlashNight is a concerto for bass flute, electronics and ensemble by Danish composer Niels Rosing-Schow, written for Hélène Navasse.
The work expands the role of the bass flute as a solo instrument, placing it inside a spatial field of resonance, amplification, electronics, piano, percussion and ensemble.
Rather than presenting the soloist in front of the ensemble, FlashNight transforms the traditional concerto relationship: the bass flute emerges from within the sound architecture.
Work page · Wise Music Classical
part of the spatial sound architecture
Spatial sound & resonance
In FlashNight, electronics are not separated from the instrumental world. Resonating objects placed in the ensemble become part of the musical space.
A wooden plate with transducers, placed within the percussion setup, extends the resonance of the bass flute and other instruments, creating a physical link between acoustic sound, electronics and space.
The bass flute moves through this architecture as a solo voice from within the ensemble, rather than outside it.
Bass flute rehearsal
Bass flute as solo voice
In FlashNight, the bass flute is not used as a colouristic extension of the flute family, but as a central solo voice with its own physical presence, breathing space and expressive range.
The piece belongs to Hélène Navasse’s long-term work with the flute family and her artistic focus on repertoire where alto flute and bass flute are treated as independent solo instruments.
Rather than presenting the soloist in front of the ensemble, Niels Rosing-Schow places the instrument within a larger sonic architecture, where sound circulates between performers, resonating objects and electronics.
The work explores resonance, colour and space as musical material, creating a concerto form in which the bass flute emerges from within the ensemble rather than standing apart from it.
“Of the five works presented at the opening concert, FlashNight was arguably the most formally accomplished.”
The review highlights the work’s elegant structure, its evolving sound world and the central role of Hélène Navasse’s bass flute in the musical narrative.
“The world premiere of Niels Rosing-Schow’s ambitious FlashNight became one of the highlights of the evening and was received with great enthusiasm.”
“Beauty without sentimentality” and “a poetically brilliant Hélène Navasse on solo flute.”
FlashNight was co-commissioned by Athelas Sinfonietta Copenhagen and the Icelandic ensemble Caput, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding the repertoire for bass flute.
Premiered at Klang Festival in Copenhagen with Athelas Sinfonietta and conductor Pierre-André Valade.
Later performed with Caput in Reykjavík and presented in connection with Iceland’s contemporary music scene, including Dark Music Days.
FlashNight was recorded and released by Dacapo Records as part of a portrait album dedicated to the music of Niels Rosing-Schow, performed by Athelas Sinfonietta under the direction of Jean Thorel.