An Exploration of Tone and Vibrato on the Flute in relation to the French Flute School of the Early Twentieth Century

Abstract: Developing and improving sound quality on the flute is one of the fundamental areas of study for all flautists and vibrato is a key issue with regards to this. The flautists associated with the French Flute School mark a turning point in the history of flute playing and through studying historical recordings it is possible to hear the legacy they left behind. This thesis combines a study of these recordings with my own experimentations of vibrato and sound and results in three of my own recordings of the works discussed, (Gaubert’s Madrigal; “Entr’acte” to Act III of Bizet’s Carmen; and an excerpt from Brahms’ Symphony No. 4) with detailed considerations about both the process and the result.