Virtuosa Flute Solos
Flute solos by women composers from the Baroque era to the present
Did you know?? 68% of professional flutists in the US are women*… but only 11.8% of our orchestra concerts include works by women composers.*
*Suby Raman – gender representation in 20 top American orchestras, 2014
And 58.4% of the composers programmed in those concerts lived in historical eras.**
**Institute of Composer Diversity – 2022 Orchestra Repertoire Report

This database includes over 160 flute solos by women composers from the Baroque era to the present day. Each era is accompanied by a corresponding playlist, and many of the historical pieces are available in the public domain.
Even though it’s important to engage with music from our own times, if we’re not familiar with works by women composers from historical eras, we’re losing over half of our potential opportunities to highlight music written by women.
I’ve organized the information below by era to ease readability. To view this database as a single, searchable spreadsheet with re-orderable columns, click here.
And if all this information feels overwhelming, don’t worry – I’ve got you. Check out my VFS starter guide for recommendations on programming and some of my favorite pieces from this list.
A few notes on the info below:
- Years listed are the year of composition, if known. If not, I’ve listed the years when the composer lived.
- Most videos in the embedded playlists highlight performances by women flutists; however, I’ve included performances by men for pieces with limited recordings online.
- This a constantly evolving resource. If you have a favorite piece that isn’t listed or don’t see information you would find helpful, please let me know via my contact page.
** This webpage works best in desktop view. On mobile devices, the tables below scroll both horizontally and vertically. **
Flute Solos by Women Composers
Baroque Era
In Baroque Europe, women were not typically allowed to play wind or string instruments or compose. Those that did were rare, and often came from musical families. Others were nuns or students at institutions such as Ospedale della Pietà in Venice, the orphanage where Vivaldi taught.
Most Baroque flute solos by women composers came from the Prussian court and the musical circle around Frederick the Great’s sisters. Surviving works by Baroque women are limited, so I’m including violin transcriptions to provide a few more options.
Baroque & Classical Era Solos
Click on the 3 lines at the top right of the video to open the full playlist.
Flute Solos & Transcriptions
Composer | Title | Year | Description/Notes | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wilhelmine von Bayreuth | Sonata in a minor | 1730 | Elder sister of Frederick the Great | Furore Verlag |
Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre | 6 Sonatas for Violin & Harpsichord | 1707 | AKA 6 Sonatas for Harpsichord that can be Played on the Violin | Public Domain |
Anna Amalia von Preußen | Sonata in F | 1723-1787 | Younger sister of Frederick the Great; writes in gallant style | Edition Schott |
Anna Bon di Venezia | Six Sonatas, Op. 1 | 1756 | A great substitution for flute sonatas by C.P.E. Bach | Public Domain |
Classical Era
Like with their early 18th century counterparts, the narrow range of instruments considered socially acceptable limited the musical activities of Classical era women. They primarily hosted salon concerts and performed on keyboard instruments, harp, or voice.
As a result, most compositions featuring the flute are sonatas for keyboard instruments with flute accompaniment. While they’re not technically flute solos, I’ve included a few to give a more balanced perspective on the musical landscape of the time – not all musicians were celebrity virtuosos who toured Europe and performed flashy concerti.
Classical & Baroque Era Solos
Click on the 3 lines at the top right of the video to open the full playlist.
Flute Solos & Transcriptions
Composer | Title | Year | Description/Notes | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|
Maria Theresia von Paradis | Sicilienne in E-flat Major | 1759-1824 | Originally for violin; see “transcriptions” tab in IMSLP for flute version | Public Domain |
Laura Maddalena Sirmen | 3 Violin Concertos, Op. 2 | 1745-1818 | Nos. 1 & 2 are in the flute range except for a handful of low notes | Public Domain |
Anna Bon di Venezia | Six Sonatas, Op. 1 | 1756 | Transitional late Baroque/early Classical style | Public Domain |
Accompanied Sonatas
Composer | Title | Year | Description/Notes | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sophia Dussek | Sonata for Pianoforte, Op. 1 | 1793 | Piano accompanied by flute or violin | Hildegard Publishing |
Jane Mary Guest | 6 Sonatas, Op. 1 | 1783 | Sonatas for keyboard accompanied by flute or violin; dedicated to the Queen of Great Britain | Public Domain |
Anne Valentine | 10 Sonatas for Keyboard and Violin or Flute | 1790 | ClarNan Editions |
Romantic Era
Although social restrictions on women composers began to loosen towards the end of the Romantic era, many still found it difficult to work their way up through the musical ranks. That said, this is where we start to seeing baddass women who were finally able to crack the glass ceiling.
In 1873, Josephine Amann-Weinlich founded the first all-women orchestra in Europe. Cécile Chaminade became the first woman awarded the Légion d’honneur in 1913, and Lili Boulanger won the Prix de Rome that same year.
While many of the pieces below exhibit similar characteristics to “standard” flute solos, we also have the addition of character pieces that were often played in music salons hosted by women in the private sphere. Although character pieces were often characterized as “trendy” or “too emotional,” they make beautiful recital pieces that show off the nuance and lyricism of the Romantic style.
Romantic Era Flute Solos
Click on the 3 lines at the top right of the video to open the full playlist.
Flute Solos & Transcriptions
Composer | Title | Year | Description/Notes | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|
Leopoldine Blahetka | Variations, Op. 39 | 1835 | Included in the collection “Flötenmusik von Komponistinnen” | Edition Schott |
Mel Bonis | Air Vaudois | 1916 | Studied w/Cesar Franck at the Paris Conservatory | Edition Kossack |
Mel Bonis | Andante et Allegro, Op. 133 | 1929 | European publisher – special order to US | Edition Kossack |
Mel Bonis | Pièce, Op. 189 | 1880s | Included in the collection “Flötenmusik von Komponistinnen” | Edition Schott |
Mel Bonis | Scherzo Op. Posth. 187 | Undated | Final movement of a lost sonata found by family after her death in 1937 | Edition Kossack |
Mel Bonis | Selected Pieces | 1890s | 4 piano pieces arranged for flute & piano: Près de ruisseau, Pensées d’automne, Meditation, and Viennoise | Forton Music |
Mel Bonis | Sonata Op. 64 in c# minor | 1904 | Edition Kossack | |
Mel Bonis | Une Flûte Soupire, Op. 121 | 1936 | Edition Kossack | |
Lili Boulanger | Boulanger: Complete Flute Works | 1893-1918 | 4 short pieces for flute or violin | Edition Schott |
Lili Boulanger | Cortège | 1914 | For violin or flute and piano; published as “Deux Morceaux” with “Nocturne” | Graham Bastable |
Lili Boulanger | D’un Matin de Printemps | 1917 | Lili’s character pieces can also be performed together as movements | Public Domain |
Lili Boulanger | Nocturne | 1911 | Originally for violin | Public Domain |
Lili Boulanger | Pièce | 1910 | Included in the collection “Flötenmusik von Komponistinnen” | Edition Schott |
Clarisse Bourdeney | 3 Egologues, Op. 61 | 1912 | For Flute & Piano | Public Domain |
Dora Bright | Romance and Seguidilla | 1891 | Trübcher Music Editions | |
Teresa Carreño | Mi Teresita | 1896 | Latina composer; violin transcription playable on flute. Also published as “Keiner Waltzer” | Public Domain |
Cécile Chaminade | Air de Ballet, Op. 30 | 1911 | Transcribed for flute & piano (originally for piano solo) | Public Domain |
Cécile Chaminade | Automne, Op. 35, No. 2 | 1893 | Arr. by Trevor Wye for flute & piano (orig. piano solo) | Falls House Press |
Cécile Chaminade | Concertino, Op. 107 | 1902 | Public Domain | |
Cécile Chaminade | Mignonne | 1892 | Originally for voice, with text by Pierre de Ronsard | International Music Company |
Cécile Chaminade | Pastorale Enfantine, Op. 12 | 1898 | Transcribed for flute or violin & piano (orig. piano solo) | Public Domain |
Cécile Chaminade | Pièce Romantique, Op. 9 | 1897 | Transcribed for flute & piano (originally for piano solo) | Éditions Durand |
Cécile Chaminade | Sérénade aux Etoiles, Op. 142 | 1911 | Also included in the collection “Flötenmusik von Komponistinnen” | Public Domain |
Cécile Chaminade | Sérénade Espagnole, Op. 150 | 1904 | Originally for violin & piano | Public Domain |
Cécile Chaminade | Thème Varié, Op. 89 | 1898 | Originally for solo piano | International Music Company |
Cécile Chaminade | Toccata, Op. 39 | 1887 | Originally for solo piano; fast, virtuosic show piece | International Music Company |
Cécile Chaminade | Villanelle | 1894 | Originally for voice and piano in F major | International Music Company |
Clémence de Grandval | Suite de Morceaux | 1876 | 5 movements; a great substitution for the Widor Suite | Public Domain |
Clémence de Grandval | Valse Mélancolique | 1898 | For flute and harp; composer is also known as Marie Grandval | Public Domain |
Augusta Holmès | Trois Petites Pièces | 1847-1903 | Chanson, Clair de lune, and Gigue | Tux People’s Music |
Emilie Mayer | Notturno, Op. 48 | 1812-1883 | Originally for violin | Naama Neuman |
Emilie Mayer | Sonata in D Major | 1812-1883 | Originally for violin | Furore Verlag |
Fanny Mendelssohn | Schwanenlied | 1805-1847 | Originally for voice | Public Domain |
Laura Netzel | Berceuse, Op. 69 | 1900 | Composer also published under pen name “N. Lago;” for flute or violin | Public Domain |
Laura Netzel | Colibri, Op. 72 | 1912 | For flute or violin | Public Domain |
Laura Netzel | Humoresque, Op. 37 | 1896 | For violin; playable on the flute | Public Domain |
Laura Netzel | Suite, Op. 33 | 1900 | Dedicated to Paul Taffanel | Public Domain |
Amanda Röntgen-Maier | Sonata in B Minor | 1878 | Transcribed by Carol Wincenc; originally for violin | Hal Leonard/Keiser |
Clara Schumann | Three Romances, Op. 22 | 1819-1896 | Originally for violin and piano | Falls House Press |
Pauline Viardot | Fleur Desséchée | 1821-1910 | Originally for voice and piano | Open Cloud |
Pauline Viardot | Romance, Six Morceaux No. 1 | 1821-1910 | Violin solo playable on flute (leave out the double stops) | Public Domain |
20th Century
World War II was one of the most important events for women in the history of Western classical music. Our field was one of many where women were now allowed to work in positions previously held only by men, and this was the first cohort of women who were able to officially claim the title of “professional” musician.
On top of that, this century brought shifts in the social settings where the flute was performed and the way that the instrument’s sound was characterized. After centuries of predominantly “masculine” associations, the flute became one of the most popular instruments for women classical musicians.
During this century, we also begin to see more women composers writing flute solos and a broader variety of musical publications accessible to flutists.
20th Century Flute Solos
Click on the 3 lines at the top right of the video to open the full playlist.
Flute Solos & Transcriptions
Composer | Title | Year | Description/Notes | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adelaida Aguero | Dreaming Waltz | 1911 | Public Domain | |
Caroline Ansink | Epitaph fur Marius | b. 1959 | Included in the collection “Flötenmusik von Komponistinnen” | Edition Schott |
Claude Arrieu | Concerto in G Major | 1946 | Piano reduction | Boosey & Hawkes |
Claude Arrieu | Sonatine | 1944 | Editions Amphion | |
Emma Louise Ashford | At Sunset | 1920 | Use the arrangement for violin & guitar (originally for organ) | Public Domain |
Francine Aubin | Nocturne | 2008 | Gerard Billaudot | |
Francine Aubin | Valse de l’Aiglon | 1938-2016 | Editions Robert Martin | |
Grażyna Bacewicz | Sonata for Flute & Piano | 1909-1969 | Special import to US available via Hal Leonard – allow 6-8 wks shipping | Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne |
Elsa Barraine | Elegie et Ronde | 1936 | Prix de Rome winner & member of Front National des Musiciens with Poulenc & Dutilleux | Alphonse Leduc |
Amy Beach | La Fée de la Fontaine | 1907 | from Les Rêves de Columbine, Op. 65; originally for piano solo | International Music Co. |
Amy Beach | Sonata in a minor, Op. 34 | 1896 | Originally for violin; transcribed by Alexa Still | International Opus |
Anne Boyd | Goldfish Through Summer Rain | 1979 | Australian composer | Faber Editions |
Therese Brenet | Lynx | 1935 – | French school, late intermediate level | Musik Fabrik Music Publishing |
Christine Bruckner | Tsetono | b. 1967 | Included in the collection “Flötenmusik von Komponistinnen” | Edition Schott |
Gloria Coates | Phantom | b. 1938 | Included in the collection “Flötenmusik von Komponistinnen” | Edition Schott |
Avril Coleridge-Taylor | Idylle: for flute and pianoforte, op.21 | 1923 | Composer’s full name: Gwendolen Avril Coleridge-Taylor | Boosey & Hawkes |
Ruth Crawford | Diaphonic Suite | 1930 | For solo flute or oboe | Merion Music |
Dorothee Eberhardt | Traume | b. 1952 | Included in the collection “Flötenmusik von Komponistinnen” | Edition Schott |
Sophie-Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté | Berceuse | 1899-1974 | For flute and piano | Plangere Editions |
Katherine Eggar | Idyll | 1910 | Active member of the feminist movement in London | ALRY Publications |
Cynthia Folio | Arca Sacra | 1954 – | For solo flute | Hildegard Publishing |
Peggy Glanville-Hicks | Sonatina | 1938 | Australian composer; for flute/treble recorder & piano; PDF version available | Edition Schott |
Lita Grier | Sonata | 1956 | Ldg Music Publishing | |
Sofia Gubaidulina | Allegro Rustico & Sounds of the Forest | 1963 | Sikorski | |
Barbara Heller | Parlano | 1993 | Included in the collection “Flötenmusik von Komponistinnen” | Edition Schott |
Miriam Hyde | Dancing Shadows | 1913-2005 | Australian composer w/ post-romantic style; print edition available in US through FluteWorld | Australian Musc Centre |
Miriam Hyde | Flute Sonata | 1962 | Australian publisher; PDF download available | Wirripang Pty Ltd |
Libby Larsen | Aubade | 1982 | For unaccompanied flute | E. C. Schirmer Music Company |
Ivana Loudová | Suite for Solo Flute | b. 1941 | G Schirmer, Inc. | |
Meta Overman | Flute Sonata No. 1 | 1907-1993 | Australian Composer & publisher; PDF download available | Wirripang Pty Ltd |
Meta Overman | Flute Sonata No. 2 | 1907-1993 | Australian Composer & publisher; PDF download available | Wirripang Pty Ltd |
Dora Pejačević | Slavic Sonata, Op. 43 in b minor | 1917 | For flute & piano; advanced level; composer was a Croatian countess | Edition Kossack |
Florence Price | Adoration | 1951 | Originally for organ; arranged for flute & piano | Public Domain |
Germaine Tailleferre | Concertino | 1953 | Double concerto for flute & piano; premiered by Rampal | Gerard Billaudot |
Germaine Tailleferre | Deuxième Sonate (Sonata No. 2) | 1951 | Originally for violin | ALRY Publications |
Germaine Tailleferre | Forlane | 1972 | Included in the collection “Flötenmusik von Komponistinnen” | Edition Schott |
Germaine Tailleferre | Pastorale | 1919 | Originally for violin; Tailleferre was the only woman in “Les Six” | Theodore Presser |
Germaine Tailleferre | Sicilienne | 1948 | A pastorale for flute and piano from her Ballet Paris-Magie | Musik Fabrik Music Publishing |
Germaine Tailleferre | Trois Danses de “La Nouvelle Cythère” | 1929 | 3 dances from a ballet composed for the Ballets Russes | Musik Fabrik Music Publishing |
Joan Tower | Flute Concerto | 1989 | dedicated to Carol Wincenc | Associated Music Publishers |
Grete von Zieritz | Bokelberger Suite | 1940 | This piece is at 31:50 in video in accompanying playlist | Ries & Erler Verlag |
21st Century
The widest variety of flute solos by women composers can be found in our own times – both in terms of the range of compositional styles employed and in the diversity of the women writing these pieces.
Although this is not an exhaustive list of modern flute solos, I’ve tried to give a snapshot of a wide variety of pieces and include composers from all around the world who write music for the Western transverse flute.
For additional resources for modern flute music, check out this blog post.
21st Century Flute Solos
Click on the 3 lines at the top right of the video to open the full playlist.
Flute Solos & Transcriptions
Composer | Title | Year | Description/Notes | Publisher |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jean Ahn | Blush | 2019 | For solo woodwind – flute, oboe, clarinet, or saxophone | ArrangeMe / Hal Leonard |
Maya Badian | Echoes | 1996 | Canadian Music Centre | |
Sarah Bassingthwaighte | Left Behind | 2021 | Unaccompanied flute, left hand only; extended techniques include harmonics and whistle tones; recording on publisher’s Soundcloud | ALRY Publications |
Nicole Chamberlain | Asphyxia | 2016 | Unaccompanied flute; extended techniques include multiphonics, jet whistles, and pitch bends | Spotted Rocket |
Chen Yi | The Golden Flute | b. 1953 | Theodore Presser | |
Chen Yi | Memory | 2010 | Originally for violin | Theodore Presser |
Chen Yi | Three Bagatelles from China West | 2005 | Duet for flute & piano; inspired by Chinese folk music | Theodore Presser |
Valerie Coleman | Danza de la Mariposa | 2011 | Theodore Presser | |
Valerie Coleman | Wish | 2015 | Sonatine for flute & piano | Theodore Presser |
Tomoko Fukui | A Color Song on B | 1995 | European Music Publishing | |
Maria Grenfell | Four Pooh Stories | 1992 | Based on the stories of A.A. Milne; for solo flute | Centre For New Zealand Music |
Maria Grenfell | Maui Tikitiki a Taranga | 1998 | Concerto for flute and orchestra in 3 movements; depicts stories of the demigod Maui | Centre For New Zealand Music |
Amanda Harberg | Court Dances | 2017 | Theodore Presser | |
Jennifer Higdon | Autumn Reflection | 1994 | LGBTQ+ composer | Lawdon Press |
Jennifer Higdon | Flute Poetic | 2006 | LGBTQ+ composer | Lawdon Press |
Jennifer Higdon | rapid*fire | 1992 | LGBTQ+ composer; for unaccompanied flute; extended techniques include flutter tonguing and harmonics | Lawdon Press |
Katherine Hoover | Medieval Suite | 1996 | Theodore Presser | |
Adina Izarra | El Amolador | 1992 | Latina composer | Latin American Frontiers International Publishers |
Hi-Kyung Kim | Instant Breath | 1999 | Soo Moon Dang | |
Liza Lim | Bioluminescence | 2019 | Australian Music Centre | |
Allison Loggins-Hull | Homeland | 2018 | Flutronix Publishing | |
Phyllis Louke | Spirit of the Stallion | 2013 | Two Native American Landscapes for Flute Alone; dedicated to Charles Littleleaf, Native American flutist & traditional flute maker | Theodore Presser |
Cecilia McDowall | The Moon Dances | 2013 | Commissioned by Susan Milan | Hunt Edition |
Catherine McMichael | A Cottage Collection | b. 1954 | Trillium, Ros Botham (Rose Cottage) and As She Was arranged for flute and piano | ALRY Publications |
Angela Morley | Valse Bleue | 2004 | LGBTQ+ composer | Novello |
Judy Nishimura | Mood Swings | b. 1953 | Published in collection “21st Century Masterworks – 11 Pieces for Flute Alone” | ALRY Publications |
Gabriela Oritz | Alejandrías Sonoras | 2011 | Latina composer | Boosey & Hawkes |
Shulamit Ran | Birds of Paradise | 2014 | Israeli-American Composer; flute and piano | Theodore Presser |
Shulamit Ran | East Wind for Solo Flute | 1987 | Unaccompanied flute; extended techniques include pitch bends, key clicks, and percussive ‘spit tongue’ articulations | Theodore Presser |
Elizabeth Raum | Conversations for Flute and Piano | 1982 | Canadian composer | Canadian Music Centre |
Eugenie Rocherolle | Sonata No. 1 | 2009 | Dedicated to Jeannie Baxtresser | Hal Leonard |
Various Composers | 21st Century Masterworks – 11 Pieces for Flute Alone | Various | Unaccompanied flute solos by contemporary women composers | ALRY Publications |
Yuko Uebayashi | Sonate | 2018? | Combines French impressionism & Japanese film music | Alphonse Leduc |
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich | Concerto for Flute and Orchestra | 1989 | Flute + piano reduction; dedicated to Doriot Anthony Dwyer | Merion Music |
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich | Concerto Elegia | 2014 | Flute + piano reduction (orig. flute + string orchestra) | Theodore Presser |
Next Steps
Whew, you made it! If you just scrolled through that whole list and feel overwhelmed, pause and take a deep breath. Then start with this blog post for my recommendations on alternatives for traditional flute favorites and programming tips for recitals.
If you’re feeling non-committal, don’t have the budget for new music, or need a digital download right NOW, check out my guide to free flute music by women composers on IMSLP. (There’s actually quite a few great pieces in the public domain!)
And if you’re looking for flute music by women composers that falls outside the scope of this project (such as music for chamber ensembles or a wider variety of modern solos), check out these additional resources. Happy exploring! ♡