Rossini – William Tell Overture

Gioachino Rossini’s opera “William Tell” was completed and first performed in Paris in 1829 and has become one of the world’s most recognisable pieces of music. This “Ranz des Vaches” section of the overture is delightful in its simplicity and provides a splendid contrast to the strident finale which follows.

These filigree scalar lines played by the flute would normally exasperate me in being too obviously decorative but the cor anglais supplies the perfect foil with its smooth legato lines and purity of tone.

Hear it here.