Uncover the history of the French flute with Sam Coles

Philharmonia Orchestra Principal Flutist Sam Coles brings the history of the flute to life in the beautiful surroundings of the Théâtre des Champs-Elysèes, Paris. Find out how the flute we know and love today developed over time and was perfected by makers and performers based in Paris, culminating in Debussy's groundbreaking work for solo flute, Syrinx (1913).
Find out more at www.philharmoni...
Our City of Light: Paris: 1900-1950 concert series ran from November 2014 - June 2015.
Discover the rest of our videos on the woodwind section in our playlist: • Woodwind Instruments (...

[@DeltaRana4]

Hi Sam. Absolutely beautiful and a great presentation. Syrinx is tailor made for the flute with its rich palette of colours and which only the flute can bring the necessary level of plaintive quality required of the piece. A superb sound. Still playing your cadenzas to the Flute & Harp concerto you kindly sent me in 2006! Your playing is still very honest and generous. Many thanks.

[@Ianthe22]

At 4:49 he hits core of the piece. I remember hearing the piece for the first time as a child. It was nothing like anything i've heard before.The tones weren't bound to any nationality or culture. The melody(if there really is one) was intriguing, seductive. It was truly enchanting.

[@TheHumanFlag]

omg the sound gave me chills

[@GabrielEGiron-wx9lr]

Such a privilege to be able to watch this. Thank you!

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

+Gabriel Enrique Giron Thank you for watching!

[@isabelrocha7991]

Concerto de piano n5

[@Wsaferplace]

Dear Sam, thank you for your wonderful video. I think the flute has changed more than just a bit since Boehm developed his fantastic system . Albert Cooper came along and revised the scale in the 1970's , along with others, which has resulted in significant improvements. Also there have been marked improvements in the mechanism of modern flutes. I have a Lot from 1889 and a couple of modern instruments. Thank goodness for the improvements since 1889 ... Cheers

[@ThomasMulliganFlute]

Paul K Very true although the addition of various keys such as split E, C# trill and B foot, pinless mechanism have had a much lesser impact than for example Theobald Bohem's redesigns of the 1800s!

[@j6045g]

Hi Sam, LOVED your playing and presentation. Sir James Galway

[@christopherrobinkarlsson7099]

Haha, as if you were actually James Galway... Lol

[@lc1715]

Imagine if the *real* James Galway signed his comments "Sir..." lol

[@apcv7449]

Beautiful instrument

[@LittleFugueFlute]

What a wonderful way to promote a concert and do some educational good!

[@user-JM1967]

Wonderful!!!!

[@TheDanD]

Thank you! Both the playing and the piece are just beautiful, and it was overall really useful and informative! I'll be sure to check out more of you guys' videos.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thank you so much for your positive feedback. Enjoy the rest of our films! There are over 300 to choose from!

[@delloda]

flute style instruments are at least 40,000 years old. An ancient bone flute was found carbon dated back to that time.

[@sarahhornsby5079]

Loved your video, Sam. What beautiful playing.

[@alejandronieto576]

Muchas gracias por este video.

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

+Alejandro Nieto Gracias! De nada!

[@user-qv6lb5vy4b]

Since Delius was a french composer did he use the french horn and the french flute in his music?

[@shahidosuna]

Great video!

[@TheRatchetmeister]

I have a weakness for sweets.

[@alpenjon]

So fascinating, great video!

[@philharmonia_orchestra]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@priscillachapkylo934]

Called old fashion but wooden flute should 17 flute sound magical perfar cooler than metal.

[@MrMarcvus]

The Boehm flute is dull and boring - the simple system flutes, from one key to 8 are far superior.

[@sachseco]

DEAR MR. COLES: IT'S BAH-ROKE FLUTE NOT BA-ROCK!