Michel Blavet (1700 - 1768)

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 <br />
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)
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Piano Quintet, Op.87