Philippe Gaubert
Jean-Pierre Rampal thought Gaubert the greatest flutist of them all -- not merely the greatest flutist of his time (of which there was never any doubt.) Gaubert was Professor of Flute at the Conservatoire national in Paris (my alma mater.) Is there a flutist alive who at one time has not used Taffanel et Gaubert's 17 Daily Exercises? Gaubert was also a noted composer (Rampal did not care much for Gaubert's Debussy-like compositions, but I love to play them). And he was Conductor of the Sociéte des Concerts and Paris Opera, and later Director of the Paris Opera. Consequently, Gaubert was one of the most important figures in French musical life in between the two world wars. Below is an extraordinary portrait that captures his elegance, refinement, brilliance and distinctive personality. The photograph is dedicated to the great French pianist Emma Boynet -- who was my mother's piano teacher.
Born on the 5th of July 1879 in Cahors, France, Philippe Gaubert was among the most prominent French musicians of the period between the two world wars. After a distinguished career as Principal Flutist with the Societé des Concerts (and frequent performances as guest Principal at the Opéra), he was appointed in 1919, at the age of forty, to three positions that placed him in the highest échelons of French musical life: Professor of Flute at the Paris Conservatoire, Principal Conductor of the Paris Opéra, and Principal Conductor of the Société des Concerts. Later, he became Director of the Opéra de Paris.
As a composer, Gaubert was not an innovator, but he assimilated many of the innovations of Franck, Ravel and Debussy. Gaubert died in Paris on 8 July 1941.
PHILIPPE GAUBERT