François Devienne: Concerto No.7: Orchestre et Solo

François Devienne (1759 - 1803) was a French flutist and composer, as well as a founding professor at the Paris Conservatory, which was established in 1795. During his lifetime, Devienne composed over300 works, most of which were scored for Wind Instruments.

Devienne belonged to a line of French flutists and composers who, over a period of a century, had adopted a German transverse Flute and made it aquintessentially French musical instrument. He followed the path of predecessors such as Michel de la Barre and Michel Blavet in establishing a French school of Flute playing and composition.

Devienne wrotehundredsof works for the Flute, as well as a renowned tuition manual. His 7th Concerto is thought by many to be the best of the dozen or more concertos that he composed during his lifetime. This concerto was composed inor around 1787, shortly before the French revolution. As in Mozart's later works, the passions of the time can be clearly heard - particularly in the vigorous opening theme in E minor. In contrast to the stately Allegro, the themeis gentle and lyrical, yet intriguing, with the Flute almost mimicking bird call.