Francois Devienne's Nouvelle Methode Theorique et Pratique pour la Flute

First published in 1794 by one of the first professors of flute at the Paris Conservatoire, Devienne's flute method went through numerous editions throughout the nineteenth and into the twentieth century. With time, some of Devienne's original explanations became outmoded and were replaced, but his basic approach to tone and embouchure development remained, and his method long continued to be considered the foundation of the flautist's education in France.The present volume reproduces...
More Description

First published in 1794 by one of the first professors of flute at the Paris Conservatoire, Devienne's flute method went through numerous editions throughout the nineteenth and into the twentieth century. With time, some of Devienne's original explanations became outmoded and were replaced, but his basic approach to tone and embouchure development remained, and his method long continued to be considered the foundation of the flautist's education in France.The present volume reproduces the first edition of Devienne's flute method in facsimile, along with a new English translation of the method by Jane Bowers and an insightful analysis of it by Thomas Boehm. Containing important information about the approach of a leading flautist of the late eighteenth century to embouchure, tone, tonguing, articulation and ornamentation, as well as useful exercises, little airs, duos, and challenging sonatas for two flutes, this new edition of the method will be of special interest to players of historic flutes. In addition, the volume contains an extensive overview of Devienne's life and the first comprehensive catalogue of later editions of the flute method, painstakingly annotated by Jane Bowers, which illustrates how Devienne's basic approach to flute playing laid the foundation for the evolution of the modern French flute school. Thus, it should also interest all those concerned with the long-range development of the flute and its technique.