RESOUNDING ECHOES: From August 2022, Robert McCarney's regular series features little-known twentieth century classical composers.
French composer, conductor and flautist Philippe Gaubert was born in Cahors on 5 July 1879 and spent most of his childhood in Paris. He studied flute with Paul Taffanel, first privately and then at the Paris Conservatoire.
Gaubert played flute (and was later principal conductor) with Paris Opéra. He became professor of flute at the Paris Conservatoire and was principal conductor at the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire. These positions made him one of the most prominent French musicians between the two world wars.
He is mostly remembered as a composer of chamber music, much of it including the flute.
Philippe Gaubert died in Paris from a stroke on 8 July 1941, aged sixty-two.
Ensemble. Piquant Stylistic Contrast - Mike Wheeler listens to the chamber group Serenata
CD Spotlight. Real Gems - Paris Conservatoire connections for flute and piano, heard by Geoff Pearce. '... a good addition to any collection ...'
CD Spotlight. Romantic Melodies - Gaubert and Debussy for flute, heard by Ron Bierman. '... a fine, well-played collection ...'
Ensemble. Poise and Vitality - Mike Wheeler listens to Lucille Burns and Catherine Milledge
Ensemble. Brisk Ebullience - Lawrence Budmen sends a second report from this summer's Tanglewood Festival
CD Spotlight. Featuring the Flute - A recital by Jeanne Baxtresser, reviewed by Malcolm Tattersall. '... lovely but relatively rarely heard pieces.'
Record box - Invention. Flute and piano, with Basil Ramsey
Excited by music - Flautist Kathryn Thomas in conversation with Keith Bramich