The Flute And Flute Playing In Acoustical Technical And Artistic Aspects

Author : Theobald Boehm
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781675026687
Total Pages : 118 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (266 download)

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Download or read book The Flute and Flute Playing written by Theobald Boehm and published by . This book was released on 2019-12-13 with total page 118 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THEOBALD BOEHM, of Munich, - born in 1794, died in 1881, - a celebrated Royal Bavarian Court-Musician, and inventor of the modern flute, described his inventions in a treatise on "Die Flote und das Flotenspiel"; this work was read with great interest by the writer, and while upon a holiday some years ago, it was translated; others having expressed a desire to read the work in English, its publication has been undertaken. While much has been written about the Boehm flute, Boehm's own writings seem not to have received the attention they deserve; this is especially true of the work here presented; his earlier pamphlet, published in German in 1847, ?in French in 1848, and in English in 1882, is better known. In the introduction to "Die Flote und das Flotenspiel," Boehm says: "My treatise, Ueber den Flotenbau und die neuesten Verbesserungen desselben (1847), seems to have had but little influence. There is need, therefore, of this work in which is given as complete a description as is possible of my flutes and instructions for handling them, and which also contains instructions upon the art of playing the flute with a pure tone and a good style." In a letter to Mr. Broadwood, dated November 15, 1868, Boehm wrote: "I have at length finished it [this treatise]. There ought properly to be both a French and an English translation, but I cannot myself undertake them * * *. My treatise will contain * * *; and the history of all my work and all my experience during a period of 60 years will be contained in one little book." In August, 1871, he writes: "My work, 'Die Flote und das Flotenspiel, ' is in the press." The preparation of the English edition of this last work of Boehm's has been a labor of love, and the writer hopes that its study will make still better known Boehm's very careful and complete investigations, and will lead to a full appreciation of his remarkable improvements in the flute. His greatest desire was to elevate the art of music, but he was also possessed of the true scientific spirit, and has described his designs and practical constructions very explicitly. In 1847 he wrote: "The surest proof of the authenticity of my inventions, I believe will consist in describing the motives I had in their development, and in explaining the acoustical and mechanical principles which I made use of; for he alone is capable of carrying out a rational work, who can give a complete account of the why and wherefore of every detail from the conception to the completion." Judged by this criterion, Boehm deserves the highest credit, for he has given an account - almost beyond criticism, and perhaps the best ever given for any musical instrument - of the why and wherefore of the flute.