For those interested in vintage flutes, I thought I would direct you to the different Marigaux sites, found on the Google search engine, by typing in: "Marigaux flutes".

You'll find a world of information about Marigaux flutes, Louis Lot flutes --- and much more. History, mechanism, availabilty, etc.

I often wonder, in all the questions asked on the forum, why the name Marigaux never came up?

When I was a kid, most flutists played wooden flutes --- Grenadilla, like the oboes, clarinets and bassoons.

I often wonder why the flute transgressed to metal materials?

The flute is, after all, a "woodwind" instrument.

Just wondering why the change to metal materials.? Possibly (and I'm guessing) --- "wood" was too "soft of a sound" for a symphony flutist?

Just curious.

Thanks for your feed-back.

Regards, Jim

"French Tone" of the Paris Conserv. from the Lot, Riev, Bonneville types. These brands were being made well back into the early 1900's and some before 1900. They are more stable in tuning and tone, last longer and don't succumb to cracks or warpages as easily as the metal flutes. I believe that with some research, Boehm was actually making all metal flutes before 1850s. Jim you must be getting grey then if you grew up with the wood flutes.

I can say that I think that playing on a wood flute is more relaxing.

Thank you Bilbo for your edification (knowledgeable, as usual).

That's why I like this forum so much.

Yes, I am getting grey (remember, I started studying the flute in the early 50s' --- gasp!, am I really aging myself).

I remember attending concerts by the Minneapolis Symphony (now, of course, the Minnesota Orchestra), and I distinctly remember that some of the flutist played wooden flutes. I asked Emile Opava (principal) why that was, and he went on to explain that Antal Dorati didn't "like" metal flutes, etc.

So, it appears, that in many cases it was the Musical Director who dictated just 'what' flute you're supposed to play.??

In concert (no pun intended), I remember a conversation with Joan Bennett, one of my teachers (former, CSO), in which I asked her why, in recordings, the flute(s) are so "subdued" -- she said: "that's because Fritz Reiner doesn't like flutes".

Oh well --- what can you do? I've shown my age --- but I do recall (in the late 40s' and early 50s', a number of flutists playing wooden flutes.

That's why I brought up Marigaux. I just wondered if they still make wooden flutes, that are up to the standard(s) that we all expect, from metal flutes?

Regards, Jim

That's why I brought up Marigaux. I just wondered if they still make wooden flutes, that are up to the standard(s) that we all expect, from metal flutes?

Jim,
You refer to Marigaux wooden flutes. Did you know that high quality Boehm wooden flutes are currently available?

http://www.abellflute.com/theabellflute.html

http://www.powellflutes.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=9&idproduct=93

No, dio, I didn't know this --- but I thank you so much for your links!

You probably addressed the issue before, but I'm wondering why we transgressed from wooden flutes to metal?

I guess that (my first guess) was correct: wooden flutes are "too soft" for symphony playing? Marvelous for recitals or recordings, however.

Just wondering.

Incidentally, there is a marvelous documentary (you've probably seen it) about Hillary (flute) and Jacqueline DuPres, called "Hillary and Jacqueline". In the documentary it shows Hillary playing a wooden flute --- and the documentary isn't that old (as in, not as old as I am).

Have always been curious about wooden flutes and wonder why they were abandoned in favor of metal?

Thanks, as usual for your feed-back.

Regards: Jim

check out this site

http://www.antiqueflutes.com/