Flute

Although the flute in its most basic form has been with us for thousands of years, the modern metal flute only came into being in the 19th century courtesy of the German flautist and inventor Theobald Boehm. The Renaissance forerunner of today’s flute, the traverso, was made of wood and featured six or seven finger holes, depending on the maker. It was for this flute that J.S. Bach wrote his six flute sonatas and Mozart his two concertos (the second arranged from a concerto for oboe), despite admitting a dislike for the instrument. In 1847, Boehm standardized and patented a revolutionary metal structure with newly designed keys that opened the flute up to new technical possibilities. One of the first major solo works to capitalize on Boehm’s flute was French composer Debussy’s sultry 1913 miniature Syrinx, and throughout the first half of the 20th century, France regarded the flute as a major solo instrument, equal to the violin. Works by Poulenc, Jolivet, and Ibert, among others, still form the core of any professional flautist’s repertoire. For a comprehensive display of the modern flute’s powers, seek out flute sonatas by Prokofiev, Lennox Berkeley plus Rossini’s charming Variations on a Theme by Rossini.