III. Mercury, the Winged Messenger | Flute Orchestra

Program Notes

III. Mercury, the Winged Messenger

This scherzo quickly and vibrantly bounces around different tonalities and time signatures, giving a lively and buoyant sound. Holst considered it to reflect the “process of human thought.” These darting and scurrying gestures sometimes feel as though flying through time and space.

Instrumentation

Flute orchestra or large flute choir -
2 Piccolos
6 Flutes
3 Alto Flutes
2 Bass Flutes
1 Contrabass Flute

Parts may be doubled with more players as desired. The contrabass flute part may be omitted as necessary.