Flute music can be traced to Jacques-Martin Hotteterre. The flute was a very old instrument, far pre-dating him. His family had been making high quality flutes for generations. But nobody had created a systematic training manual for aspiring flautists until Hotteterre.
He acquired a reputation as a virtuoso at quite a young age, and by his 30s was employed by the King of France himself as Jouëur de Fluste de la musique de chambre. This post gave him high visibility in the court, and he tutored a great many children of the great nobles. He wrote down his ideas in what became the first published flute instruction manual, L'Art de préluder sur la flûte traversière.
Hotteterre continued as court musician for years, living to a ripe old age. Today is his birthday.
Another new guy to me.
ReplyDeleteI believe the world's best flutes are made in Boston. Haynes Company and Powell, as I recall. Both were customers of my family business when we were making lathes.
Another great music appreciation class.
(Just back from Long Island --- the one in Casco Bay, by the way.)