Overture to the Abduction from the Seraglio for flute nonet

At the age of 24, Mozart composed this opera in Vienna during the trending focus on the Ottoman Empire. This accounts for the Overture’s being such a wonderful example of the “alla Turca” style that was inspired by Turkish military bands. It was a triumph from its opening night, becoming Mozart’s most popular work in his lifetime. This arrangement is in the original key of C major, with the Andante section in C minor, and has been edited for length. This is a jewel for multi-level flute ensembles, for it accommodates players of all ability levels; challenging for the experienced flutists while having parts simple enough for younger players to be included.