Jean-Pierre Rampal

French flutist whose work brought the flute into prominence as a concert instrument, showing its versatility as a solo instrument as well. Claude Bolling’s "Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio," 1976, was probably the most popular of his more-than-50 recordings, and Rampal is considered one of the 20th century’s greatest flute players.

Despite being the son of a flute teacher, Rampal was encouraged to study medicine. While attending Marseille Medical School during World War II, he was drafted into a labor camp in Germany. He abandoned his studies and fled underground in Paris. He began taking flute lessons at the Paris Conservatory and won first prize in their competition. In 1945, he founded the French Wind Quintet, and from 1947-51, he worked with the Vichy Opéra orchestra. He founded the Baroque Ensemble of Paris in 1953 and held the position of first flute at the Paris Opéra from 1956–62. In 1968, he joined the faculty of the Conservatory.

Seemingly filled with boundless energy throughout his life, he made numerous international tours, appeared with all the major orchestras in Europe and the United Sates and appeared in recital in many of the world’s great halls. Additionally, he edited music and taught, and during his later years, he took up conducting. He gained a worldwide reputation for authentically interpreting 18th century music.

Rampal suffered a fatal heart attack on May 20, 2000 in Paris.