Early French Players
July 1 2th, 1773, and was attended in his last illness by Frederick himself, who erected a handsome sandstone monument there to his old instructor and friend. Contemporaries describe him as having been a man of uncommon size, tall and strong, patient and industrious, the picture of health, and extremely vigorous even in his old age. He is said to have excelled in playing slow movements—Carlyle speaks of his "heart-thrilling adagios"—and to have possessed considerable execution. His letters show good theoretical musical knowledge and considerable wit.
Philbert is said by Quantz to have been the first distinguished player on the one-keyed flute, and on his skill the early French poet Lainés hasEarly
French
Players written some pretty verses with the refrain, "Sa flûte seule est un concert." He is the "Draco" of La Bruyère's Caractères. He was followed by Hotteterre (see p. 35, ante), Buffardin, and other early players concerning whom we have few authentic details. At the end of the eighteenth century the most celebrated players in France wereHugot A. Hugot (1761-1803) and J. G. Wunderlich (1755-1819), both Professors at the Paris Conservatoire. The former is said to have possessed a fine tone and
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played well, and took lessons from Benjamin Wells. Prince Nicholas of Greece is an accomplished flaulist, and has written a concerto on themes furnished by the compositions of Frederick the Great, some of whose instruments he possesses. The Count of Syracuse, brother to the King of Naples, learned the flute from Briccialdi in 1837. Moreover, Carmen Sylvia, the Queen of Bohemia, is whispered to be a flautiste. Did not one of the English Georges also play it?
