Quizas, Quizas, Quizas by Farres, arranged by Zoë Booth for five or more flutes/flute choir

Osvaldo Farres was a Cuban composer, remembered particularly for his songs. ‘Quizas, Quizas, Quizas’ is the most internationally recognised of his works, owing – in part - to its adaptation in English under the title ‘P’rhaps, P’rhaps, P’rhaps’; it was sung by many artists including Doris Day and Nat King Cole.  

This arrangement is for a minimum of five players, but can be adapted for a much larger flute choir by doubling parts and the addition of optional musicians on alto and bass flutes, and Bb clarinet. Melody lines are shared out amongst most parts, and good ensemble and listening is required for cascade entries into chords, as well as for the exciting Latin rhythms, where beats and offbeats are split between players. There are a few easy-but-unusual techniques – such as flutter tonguing, note-bending and tongue-pops – which can be optionally included for effect.

4 mins approx

Elementary to advanced

PB048

Contents

One score and the following separate parts:

Flute 1

Flute 2

Flute 3

Flute 4

Flute 5

Alto Flute (optional)

Bass Flute (optional)

Bb Clarinet (optional)

Reviews

Review from Derek, Flute Teacher and Ensemble Conductor

"Both Quizas Quizas Quizas and Bohemian Rhapsody were performed last December (2017). My charge of flute players ages 12-65ish loved playing them. Thanks for the addition of the clarinet part as it helped us produce a little more depth and complexity in Quizas.

I look forward to exploring more of Zoë Booth’s arrangements as they are musically fresh and of a consistently high standard. The layout also looks great and is easy to read. The arrangements are a great ambassador for flute ensembles and I can’t recommend them highly enough."

Review from Ruth, adult flute choir member

"We are a group of five flutists, mostly amateur, with alto and bass flutes to hand, ranging from Grade 4 and up. We played “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas” using the four flute parts and the bass flute. This has become a firm favourite within our group! We loved the syncopated Latin rhythms and the writing for the top two flutes in thirds. It gave us an opportunity to work on and use our articulation and dynamics as a group. Those who could added the small moments of flutter-tonguing, which enhanced the Latin flavour, however the piece worked really well without them too. Each player enjoyed the opportunity to have some of the melody (apart from the bass), and there were fun passages of conversations between different parts. The piece concludes with a little cadenza for flute one and then a cheeky whole choir finish – perfect!"