One of the twentieth century's greatest flute players, Jean-Pierre Rampal brought the flute into the international concert circuit for the first time. His technique and his musicianship attracted loyal audiences around the globe, drawn especially to his famous tone and his ability to project subtle nuances: as one reviewer wrote, "...the Rampal tone [is] as appealing as ever: firm, rounded, richly varied within the natural scope of the instrument's capabilities, which, in fact, Rampal has redefined and expanded for modern audiences and for other flutists." His talent was complimented by his boundless energy and his tireless promotion of the flute, which together succeeded in developing an international market for flute music unlike any seen since the eighteenth century.
A Sony Classical artist since the 70s, Rampal recorded virtually every major work for flute. His discography of over 50 recordings includes Bach -- the flute concertos (MK 39022) and sonatas (S2K 39746) -- Mozart -- the flute concertos (SK 44919) and quartets (MK 42320) -- Telemann (flute concertos (MK 42362)), Vivaldi (flute concertos (M2K 45623)), Hadyn, and more, as well as the work of lesser known composers, like Kuhlau, Boccherini, Giuliani and Carulli. Rampal went beyond the classical, too, recording arrangements of Japanese melodies and Joplin rags, as well as jazz: Claude Bolling’s Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio, released in 1976, was one of his most popular recordings. A follow-up album, the Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio No. 2 is available on Sony Classical (MK 42318).
Rampal was familiar to audiences around the world through his extensive touring as flutist and conductor. He appeared with all the major orchestras in Europe and the United States. He appeared in recital at many of the world’s great halls, including Avery Fisher Hall in New York and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, as well as numerous smaller halls across the world. His work as a chamber musician was no less important, and he counted among his favorite collaborators Isaac Stern and Mstislav Rostropovich, both of whom joined him for his seventieth birthday celebration at Avery Fisher Hall in 1992.
While he was particularly a champion of the Baroque, Rampal's programs included music from the seventeenth century to the present day, with excursions into jazz, English folk songs, Japanese classics and the music of India. Among contemporary composers who dedicated works to him were Jean Françaix, André Jolivet, Jean Martinon, Francis Poulenc and Pierre Boulez. He gave the premiere of Krzysztof Penderecki's Flute Concerto in the early 90s.
During the course of his career, Jean-Pierre Rampal had many honors bestowed upon him, among them the Leonie, Sonning Prize, the Prix du Président de la République and the Académie Charles Cros. He was made a Commandeur de la Légion d'Honneur, an officer des Arts et des Lettres and a Commandeur de l'Ordre National de Mérite.
Rampal was born in Marseilles, where his father was first flutist with the Symphony and professor of flute at the Conservatory. Although not encouraged to become a professional musician, his father did give him lessons at an early age. Not until much later, after beginning studies in medicine, did Rampal decide to pursue music professionally. In his third year of medical school, Nazi occupation forces drafted him for compulsory labour in Germany, and instead of reporting for service, he went underground and headed for Paris, where he decided to attend classes at the National Conservatory. Five months later he graduated with first prize and embarked upon a career of performing, at first as principal flutist with the Paris Opera and as soloist and chamber musician. He died on May 20, 2000, at the age of 78.
In 1989, Rampal published his autobiography Music, My Love (Random House).
A companion disc is available on Sony Classical (MK 45548).
