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Biography

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Irish born Robert Tobin is a classical flautist currently living in Helsinki, Finland. Studying throughout Europe he has gained qualifications from some of Europe's finest institutions. In 2012 he received his BA in Music Performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music with First Class Honors. During this year he was also awarded his Licentiate Diploma for flute teaching from The Royal Irish Academy of Music. In 2010 Robert studied in Vienna's University for Performing Arts as part of his Bachelor degree. In 2014 Robert gained his MA in Orchestral Performance from the Zurcher Hochschule der Kunst in Switzerland. His Professors over this time included William Dowdall, Barbara Gisler-Haase, Patricia Morris, Maria Goldschmidt and Pamela Stahel. As an avid orchestral musician Robert has played in many orchestras to include Zurich Philharmonia (opera),RTÉ Concert Orchestra, and the European Union Youth Orchestra to name a few. Equally an enjoyer of solo playing Robert has appeared as a recitalist in numerous venues both at home and abroad, including Ireland, UK, Scotland, Austria, Switzerland, Finland and Russia. Chamber and folk music has also played a big role in Roberts career with various ensembles taking him to play across the globe. He performs regularly throughout Europe with folk groups 'Tale of the Gael',  'The Deirdre Starr Trio' and 'the Atlantic orchestra project'. playing alongside guitarist jonne grans, Robert enjoys playing regularly in a flute and guitar duo specialising in new transcriptions for this instrument pairing.   

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Gallery

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Video

The Last Pint played on a small flute by Butler of Haymarket, London and Dublin - Robert Tobin
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The Last Pint played on a small flute by Butler of Haymarket, London and Dublin - Robert Tobin

Happy Saint Patricks Day from Helsinki, Finland. Flutist Robert Tobin brings you a beautiful short piece called "The Last Pint", written by Pierre Bensusan and inspired by the incredible playing of flutist Kevin Crawford. He plays an old flute made by Butler of Haymarket, London and Dublin. Grove Music Online: British firm of instrument dealers and wind instrument makers, active in London and Dublin until 1927. According to Rose (c1894), George Butler Sr (b c1800; d 1870) established his business in 1826 and was successor to the Dublin firm of Dollard, active c1810–36; this information, however, is suspect. According to census data, about 1833 Butler moved from Dublin to London where he worked first as a journeyman. The London concern was based at 17 Brydges Street (1858–60), 57 Greek Street (1860–65), and 29 Haymarket (1865–1913); the Haymarket operation was probably established by George Butler Jr (b c1834; d 1911). The Dublin business ran from 11 Ellis Quay (1868–82), 34 Batchelor’s Walk (1882–1926), and 2 Lower Abbey Street (1926–7). In the 1868 Musical Times Butler advertised concertinas, cornets, ‘clarionets’, drums, flageolets, flutes, harmoniums, saxhorns, violins, etc.
Franz Schubert - Five Pieces D.459 I.Allegro moderato
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Franz Schubert - Five Pieces D.459 I.Allegro moderato

The Five Pieces (originally conceived as the Piano Sonata in E major, D 459), is a work for solo piano, composed by Franz Schubert (1797- 1828) in August 1816. It was first published in 1843, after the composer's death, by Carl August Klemm in Leipzig. The idea of ​​us arranging the work for flute and guitar has been brewing for a long time. The idea originated with Jonne as early as 2017, after a deeper study of Schubert’s oeuvre, and performing his famous Arpeggione Sonata several times in concert (arranged for viola and guitar). Schubert also arranged Fifteen Dances for Flute and Guitar from his collection of Thirty-Six Waltzes, D. 365, for Piano. In addition, Introduction and Variations on a Solo ‘Trockne Blumen’, D. 802, is one of the most significant works of his time for solo flute. Thus, the adaptation of Schubert’s music is quite aesthetically justified. The soundscape and given registers of the Five Pieces is excellent for the sound field of the flute with a very mobile and idiomatic texture. E major, on the other hand, is a very well-fitting key for the guitar, which in itself allows for a very organic arrangement. Schubert is known to have played the guitar himself and, for example, many of his approximately six-hundred lieder can be performed with guitar accompaniment almost as is. The guitar alleged to belong to Schubert is on display at Haus der Musik in Vienna. The location where this film is made lies in beautiful Finnish forest, just outside the town of Lohja, Finland. This Jugend style pavilion, looking out on the biggest of the lakes in the Uusimaa region was originally part of the Paloniemi mansion, and was designed by renowned architect Eliel Saarinen (1873-1950). It was built circa 1900. The mansion itself was destroyed by fire in 1950. This typical ‘garden pavilion’ lies on a natural stone foundation. The building is constructed from wood and with a very steep saddle roof. The pavilion has been lined on the exterior with vertical wooden boards and partly with wooden shingle tiles. Many of the building's original details have been preserved including the original Jugend style windows. Flute - Robert Tobin Guitar - Jonne Grans Arial photography - Jussi-Matti Haavisto Recorded June 2020.
Above the Atlantic, Ovanför Atlanten - Concert for Flute and Guitar
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Above the Atlantic, Ovanför Atlanten - Concert for Flute and Guitar

Inspelad i Olaus Petri Kyrka i Helsingfors den 30 januari 2021. Robert Tobin, flöjt Jonne Grans, gitarr Program: York Bowen (1884-1961): Noktyrn, op.3, nr. 1 0.42 Edward MacDowell (1860-1908): Starlight, op. 55, nro. 4, ur samlingen Sea Pieces (arr. J. Grans) 05.43 John Field (1782-1839): Noktyrner (arr. åt flöjt och gitarr), urval 8.44 XVI. Noktyrn, C-dur, H 60. Molto moderato XIV. Noktyrn, d-moll (Lied ohne Worte), H.59. Lento XVIII. Noktyrn, F-dur, H 62. Molto moderato IX. Noktyrn, e-moll, H 46 (Melancolie) IV. Noktyrn, A-dur, H 36. Poco adagio Franz Schubert (1797-1828): 5 stycken, D.459, sats V: Allegro patetico 33.57 Inspelning och redigering: Jyrki Haapala Konserten har fått understöd av Stiftelsen Tre Smeder. I samarbete med Rikssvenska Olaus Petri församlingen. -- Above the Atlantic Recorded at Olaus Petri Church in Helsinki on January 30th 2021. Robert Tobin, flute Jonne Grans, guitar Program: York Bowen (1884-1961): Nocturne, op.3, nr. 1 0.42 Edward MacDowell (1860-1908): Starlight, op. 55, nro. 4, from Sea Pieces (arr. J. Grans) 5.43 John Field (1782-1839): Nocturnes (arr. for flute and guitar), excerpts 8.44 XVI. Nocturne, C major, H 60. Molto moderato XIV. Nocturne, d minor (Lied ohne Worte), H.59. Lento XVIII. Nocturne, F major major, H 62. Molto moderato IX. Notturno, e minor, H 46 (Melancolie) IV. Notturno, A major, H 36. Poco adagio Franz Schubert (1797-1828): 5 pieces, D.459, 5th movement: Allegro patetico 33.57 Filming and editing: Jyrki Haapala The concert has been generously supported by the Stiftelsen Tre Smeder. Organized by the Olaus Petri Church and Congregation.
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