Bach Badinerie played by Philippe Gaubert in 1919

[Rcord1479]

:)

[MusicBeSweetYo]

I actually like the bad audio quality. it gives it a charm that I cant quite define.

[IanBond07]

The tempo on this piece is very fast for Bach, but that is mostly because 78 rpm records only recorded 4-5 minutes on a 10 inch disc. I suspect that in live performance he stayed true to the historical period.

The keystone cops speed of playing on old recordings was necessary, but impacted players for years, including today's high-speed technicians, who don't really play music, just display their skill at blasting through a piece.

[jazzflutist]

Does anyone know if Gaubert was Moyse's teacher? Or, was it Taffanel?

[jazzflutist]

@jazzflutist From Wiki: Marcel Moyse studied at the Paris Conservatory and was a student of Philippe Gaubert, Adolphe Hennebains and Paul Taffanel, all of whom were distinguished virtuosos in their time. His trademark tone was clear, flexible and penetrating, enlivened and controlled by a fast, though natural, vibrato. This was characteristic of the 'French style' of flute playing that was to influence the modern standard for flutists worldwide.

[Lisnageeragh]

@jazzflutist Another pupil of Moyse was Andre Prieur ....who lived and worked in Ireland...hugely influential on Irish classical style and tone. Like the comment about vibrato ....so much of we hear now is so contrived ponderous and overused.

[jazzflutist]

@Lisnageeragh : I have heard that about 100 years ago flutists played with a "closed throat" whereas today it is an open throat. Moyse's vibrato is almost like a quiver (listen to the Humoresque), like someone shivering in the cold. Yes, a fast vibrato. Perhaps if it is not fast enough it sounds contrived. It might be best for flutists to start learning with no vibrato, then just add a touch, otherwise it becomes a kind of crutch, a substitue for real expression via dynamics & other things.

[jazzflutist]

@Lisnageeragh : I have heard that about 100 years ago flutists played with a "closed throat" whereas today it is an open throat. Moyse's vibrato is almost like a quiver (listen to the Humoresque), like someone shivering in the cold. Yes, a fast vibrato. Perhaps if it is not fast enough it sounds contrived. It might be best for flutists to start learning with no vibrato, then just add a touch, otherwise it becomes a kind of crutch, a substitute for real expression via dynamics & other things.

[nnwahler]

Gaubert's also one of the most underrated of classic CONDUCTORS....what he recorded with the Paris Conservatory Orch. was formidable. His "Sorcerer's Apprentice" performance puts that of any living conductor's to shame.

[leilalmv67]

@geode00 Taffanel & Gaubert! yes - spent much "quality time " with those exercises! My teacher (Byron Hester , principal with Houston Symphony Orchestra, studied with William Kincaid and died 1990's - anyone who remembers him please share anything you recall! ) he used to hand-write the exercises and have us memorize them in different keys so we would not have to buy the sheet music...

[AureliaJulia]

Syncopation, phrasing, emphasis-Perfect!

Easily the best I've heard. This recording should be digitally remastered.

[majortom51970]

An amazing romantic version... Thanks a lot!

[sferemonk]

The style and warmness make it sound like a bird. Very nice.

[tpmm1]

@sferemonk That is the most perfect description one could have chosen!

[luflute9]

Wow his sound is marvelous this is a romantic version of Bach. We play Gaubet`s music but hear him its so intresting Thanks

[debartzen]

Noventa años y como ayer.

[tidbury87]

Hi flutist001,

Thank you for this timeless recording!

I'm interested to to know the details of the recording itself, i.e date of release, the specific label, accompanist, and the instrument Gaubert is using.

I'd be most grateful to understand if you would enlighten me to these various queries, (it is all towards a research paper).

Kind regards,

Benjamin

[flutist001]

Benjamin,

Gaubert made the recording for the French Gramophone Company (Mat. 03327v, W 365) in 1919 and remastered on "The Great Flautists" Vol. 1, Pearl, GEMM CD 9284, 1992, UPC: 727031928423. The pianist is unknown. Most likely Gaubert played on a Louis Lot with the same headjoint he used while studying the flute with Taffanel. Vol. 1&2 contain early recordings of Moyse, Gaubert, Barrere, and Le Roy. Hennebains recordings are only in Vol 2.

Flutist001

[McLeodsRox]

I'm playing this piece next sunday for an audition. I love this piece it's so nice

[545RealMadrid]

oh mi gosh CONGRATZ

[eflaspo]

Excellent. Very warm sound. Not like today's orchestral flutes, designed to have an edgy tone to cut through big orchestras.

I have a Haynes from 1972, and it too has a warmer sound than today newer flutes.

Ed Flaspoehler, Dallas, TX

[flutist218]

But he did it with such feeling and beauty. We must forgive him his interpretation which is so radically different than "the usual".

It is such a privilege to be able to enjoy players from the past! I wish we could have heard Paganini or Beethoven, for example. I bet we would be surprised.

[recorderson]

Great !

[jpritcha]

Style certainly change, but on this recording Gaubert simply distorted the rhythms too much for my taste.

[suzettegm]

Thanks for posting, he was a great flutist.