François Devienne

François Devienne (January 31, 1759 - September 5, 1803) was a French composer and professor for flute at the Paris Conservatory.

Related Topics:
January 31 - 1759 - September 5 - 1803 - French - Composer - Flute - Paris Conservatory

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François Devienne was born in Joinville (Haute-Marne), as the youngest of fourteen children of a saddlemaker. After receiving his first musical training as a choirboy in his hometown, he was playing in various Parisian Ensembles as soloist and orchestra player. He studied the flute with Félix Rault and in 1780 he joined the household of Cardinal de Rohan. He was active in Paris as a flautist, bassoonist and composer, and played bassoon at the Paris Opera. He wrote successful operas in the 1790s, including Les visitandines (1792) which brought him much success.

Related Topics:
Haute-Marne - Félix Rault - 1780 - Cardinal de Rohan - Paris - Bassoon - Paris Opera - 1790s - 1792

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He was also a member of the 'Military Band of the French Guard' where he was given the rank of sergeant with the duty of teaching the children of his colleagues in the military band in its Free School of Music. After the Revolutionary period, when Free School became the National Institute of Music, later chartered as the Paris Conservatory in 1795, François Devienne was appointed an administrator and flute professor. He wrote an important Flute School 'Méthode de Flûte Théroretique et Pratique' (1793), which was reprinted several times and did much to improve the level of French wind music in the late 18th century. Like many other musicians, he joined the freemasons and 'Concerts de la Loge Olympique' orchestra.

Related Topics:
Paris Conservatory - 1795 - 1793 - Freemasons

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Devienne died at a sanatorium in Charenton near Paris on September 5, 1803, probably of overwork.

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His output comprises c. 300 instrumental works that are mostly written for wind instruments. There are a dozen of flute concertos, sinfonias for woodwinds, quartets and trios for different ensembles, 12 operas and 4 bassoon concertos, in an elegant melodic style.

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