Jean-Pierre Rampal became the first exponent of the solo flute in modern times to establish it on the international concert circuit, and to attract acclaim and large audiences comparable to those enjoyed by celebrity singers, pianists, and violinists. His playing style was characterised by an exceptionally beautiful sound and a phenomenal virtuosity, but above all a magnificent intuition and sense of expression. Highly refined musicality, impeccable taste, elegance of phrasing, subtlety of tone colours, stunning sense of communication, irresistible presence and spirituality... all extraordinary qualities which marked generations and generations of music lovers and musicians.
The rebirth of Erato provides the perfect opportunity to realise a wonderful project: the first issue on CD of the complete recordings of the legendary leading light of the twentieth century French flute school, Jean-Pierre Rampal. His melting tone, inimitable phrasing, extraordinary personality, boundless virtuosity, unstoppable determination to expand the repertoire, his irresistible charisma, unquenchable enthusiasm for his instrument, his remarkable generosity and unstinting encouragement of young musicians... these are all the qualities that made him the equal of a Rostropovich or a Stern and meant that he was uniquely qualified to bring music to a wider audience through the flute. During the post-war golden age of the LP, he made recordings at a rate that is hard to imagine, setting down interpretations that are often fervent, fiery, intense, and always irresistible. This, in my view, is a collection of key recordings spanning the 30 years when Jean-Pierre Rampal’s artistry was at its very peak.
The rebirth of Erato provides the perfect opportunity to realise a wonderful project: the first issue on CD of the complete recordings of the legendary leading light of the twentieth century French flute school, Jean-Pierre Rampal. His melting tone, inimitable phrasing, extraordinary personality, boundless virtuosity, unstoppable determination to expand the repertoire, his irresistible charisma, unquenchable enthusiasm for his instrument, his remarkable generosity and unstinting encouragement of young musicians... these are all the qualities that made him the equal of a Rostropovich or a Stern and meant that he was uniquely qualified to bring music to a wider audience through the flute. During the post-war golden age of the LP, he made recordings at a rate that is hard to imagine, setting down interpretations that are often fervent, fiery, intense, and always irresistible. This, in my view, is a collection of key recordings spanning the 30 years when Jean-Pierre Rampal’s artistry was at its very peak.
