Michel Blavet

Michel Blavet (March 13, 1700 – October 28, 1768) was a French flute virtuoso.

Related Topics:
March 13 - 1700 - October 28 - 1768 - Flute - Virtuoso

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Blavet was born in Besançon, France. Although Blavet taught himself to play almost every instrument, he specialized flute, which he held to the left, opposite how most flutists hold theirs today, and bassoon.

Related Topics:
Besançon, France - Bassoon

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The son of a wood tuner, Blavet was famous for maintaining impeccable intonation, even when he played in difficult keys, and for the beauty of his tone.

Related Topics:
Intonation - Key

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By the time he was forty years old, Blavet had been both the principal flute in both Louis XV's personal musical ensemble, the Musique du Roi, and the Paris Opera orchestra. Blavet turned down a post in Frederick the Great's court (which Quantz eventually accepted after the pay had been increased significantly).

Related Topics:
Louis XV - Musique du Roi - Paris Opera - Frederick the Great - Quantz

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Blavet wrote primarily for the flute; his surviving works include a concerto and three books of sonatas. All of his works are written only in the easiest keys, since he wrote them for amateurs to play.

Related Topics:
Concerto - Sonata

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