 | Michel Blavet (1700 - 1768) France
Michel Blavet (March 13, 1700
? October 28, 1768) was a
French flute virtuoso.
Blavet was born in Besançon,
France. Although Blavet taught
himself to play almost every
instrument, he specialized in
the flute (which he held to
the left, the opposite of how
most flutists hold theirs
today) and bassoon.
The son of a wood turner, a
profession which he followed
for some time, he accidentally
became the possessor of a
flute and soon became the
finest player in France.
Blavet was famous for
maintaining impeccable
intonation, even when he
played in difficult keys, and
for the beauty of his tone.
Voltaire expressed his
admiration for his playing and
Marpurg spoke of him as a
virtuoso of the highest
excellence who preserved his
innate modesty notwithstanding
the unbroken popularity that
he enjoyed.
By the time he was forty years
old, Blavet had been the
principal flute in both Louis
XV's personal musical
ensemble, the Musique du Roi,
and the Paris Opera orchestra.
Blavet turned down a post in
Frederick the Great's court
(which Quantz eventually
accepted after the pay had
been increased significantly).
Blavet wrote primarily for the
flute, in the so-called
'Italian' as well as the
French style. His surviving
works include a concerto and
three books of sonatas. All of
his works are written only in
the easiest keys, since he
wrote them for amateurs to
play. They are unquestionably
some of the most delightfully
written chamber works ever
composed for the flute. They
exude happiness and are a
delight to play. Quantz writes
of Blavet " His amiable
disposition and engaging
manner gives rise to a lasting
friendship between us and I am
much indebted to him for his
numerous acts of kindness". (Hide extended text) ... (Read all)
Source : Wikipedia
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