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Story of the Flute
with the cylinder bore and parabolic head-joint. Now, it is not on his key-mechanism that Böhm's fame chiefly rests: "It is much easier" (as he himself says) "to construct keys than to improve notes." His real claim to the gratitude of all flute-players consists, as Mr. Broadwood remarks, "in his successful substitution of acoustic theory for mere empirical experiment" and in his ascertainment, by careful scientific investigation, of the correct position of the holes on the flute. Gordon no doubt also attempted this: but owing to his lack of acquaintance with acoustics, he failed; whilst Böhm, with his scientific and mechanical knowledge, succeeded.
No question was raised till 1838, when Gordon had already been for some time in a lunatic asylum. OnCoche'sAttack May 25th Coche, then Coadjutor-Professor of the Flute at the Paris Conservatoire, wrote thus to Böhm:—"It is said in professional society that the flute that bears your name was discovered and invented, with all its present improvements, by a person of the name of Gordon; that this Gordon, after devoting several years to experiments and labours, has given up, on account of illness, occupying himself with his flute; and that your discovery, in a word, is no other than his." Hinc illœ lacrymœ! Coche supported this very definite and malicious statement by a letter from Gordon's wife, who naturally espoused the claim made on behalt of her unfortunate husband. It is to be noted that Coche's rival, Camus, was a friend of Böhm and had acted as his agent in Paris, playing and teaching the Böhm flute.
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