Aim for excellence! You can improve your skills with expert advice. Download the annotated sheet music of this flute masterclass. Please note that this piece has been annotated in accordance to Philippe Bernold’s feedback and comments.

In 1987 he won First Prize in the Jean-Pierre Rampal International Competition in Paris.

Philippe Bernold began his musical education in Colmar, France, studying the flute and later composition and conducting under the tutelage of René Matter. Later, he attended the National Paris Conservatoire where his notable skill was recognized and earned him First Prize in flute. The following year at only 23-years-old, Bernold was appointed first flute at the Opéra National de Lyon. After winning First Prize at the Jean-Pierre Rampal International Competition in Paris, Bernold was able to launch a successful career as a soloist, performing with world famous artists such as: M. Rostropovitch, R. Capuçon, G. Opitz, and A. Tharaud; as well as with many widely-acclaimed orchestras including the Paris Orchestra, Manchester Hallé Orchestra, Tapiola Sinfonietta, National Orchestra of Lyon, Tokyo and Kyoto Symphony Orchestra, among many more. The accomplished flautist has been directed by highly esteemed conductors including: S. Bychkov, J. E. Gardiner, L. Maazel, K. Nagano, Sir Y. Menuhin, M. Inoué, and T. Koopman. He has performed in concert halls worldwide including but not limited to the Royal Festival Hall in London, Warsaw Philharmonic, the Seoul Art Center in South Korea, and Tchaïkovsky Conservatory in Moscow. Years later, Philippe Bernold returned to conducting after founding “Les Virtuoses de l’Opéra de Lyon.” After its formation, the ensemble was lauded for its high level of artistry. Since then, he has been invited to conduct concerts with such ensembles including the Sinfonia Varsovia, Bilbao, the National Opera Orchestra of Lyon, Baden Baden Philharmonie, Orchestre de chambre de Paris, Philharmonic Orchestra of Marseille, Kanazawa Ensemble (Japan), and more. Additionally, Philippe Bernold has made many accomplished recordings. Most  notably, Bernard was the recipient of the Grand Prix de l’Académie Charles Cros for his very first recording in 1989. Philippe Bernold is Professor of Chamber Music and flute at the National Paris Conservatoire.

Theobald Boehm was born in Munich, Bavaria. His father was a goldsmith, and after learning his father’s trade, the young boy was able to fabric his own flute. He soon became a skilled flautist and joined an orchestra at 17 years old. By 21, he was First Flautist at the Royal Bavarian Orchestra. While working as a professional musician, Boehm continued to make flutes with different materials, including silver, gold, nickel, tropical hardwoods, and more. He would also experiment with the flute tone holes.

Boehm studied acoustics at the University of Munich, where he continued to experiment and improve the flute. In 1847, he patented his first fingering system. Moreover, he published Über den Flötenbau (“On the construction of flutes”) in the same year. In 1851, he showcased his new flute at the London Exhibition. Many years later in 1871, Boehm published Die Flöte und das Flötenspiel ("The Flute and Flute-Playing”), a sort of manual explaining the technical and artistic features of Boehm’s flute.

In addition to being an inventor and skilled musician, Theobald Boehm was an important composer. His repertoire includes pieces like Souvenir des Alpes, 24 Études, Op. 37, Elégie, Op. 47, Grand Polonaise in D Major, Op. 16, and more.

Photo credit: Michael Brandmüller