Michel Blavet

Michel Blavet (March 13, 1700 – October 28, 1768) was a French composer and flute virtuoso. Although Blavet taught himself to play almost every instrument, he specialized in the bassoon and the flute which he held to the left, the opposite of how most flutists hold theirs today.

Quantz wrote of Blavet: "His amiable disposition and engaging manner gives rise to a lasting friendship between us and I am much indebted to him for his numerous acts of kindness."

Life Born on March 13, 1700, in Besançon, Province of Category:People from the Province of Franche-Comté as the son of wood turner Jean-Baptiste Blavet, (though one source says he was baptised, rather than born on March 13) On 1 October 1728 Louis XV granted Blavet a privilege to publish flute sonatas for a period of six years, but by 1731 he had transferred to the service of Louis, Count of Clermont and became his steward of music. He died in Paris in 1768. His surviving works are written only in the easiest keys, since he published them for amateurs to play.

Compositions

Six sonatas for two flutes without bass, Opus 1 (1728) Six sonatas for flute and continuo, Op 2 (1732) Nr. 1 in G major L'Henriette Nr. 2 in D minor La Vibray Nr. 3 in e minor La Dherouville Nr. 4 in g minor La Lumagne Nr. 5 in D major La Chauvet Nr. 6 in a minor Le Bouget Concerto in A minor for flute and strings (without viola) (1745, 1954 rediscovered). Four operas, of which only Le Jaloux Corrigé (1752) survived. Le jaloux corrigé (1752) Floriane ou la grotte des Spectacles (1752) Les Jeux olympiques (1753) La Fête de Cythère (1753) Arrangements and original compositions for two flutes Premier recueil de pièces accomodé pour les flûtes traversières; Deuxième recueil de pièces accomodé pour les flûtes traversières; Troisième recueil de pièces accomodé pour les flûtes traversières. Paris s.d.