Description

Solid silver flute – LOT, Louis (Mlle. Chambille)

Made in 1938, during the Mlle. Gabrielle Chambille ownership, this Louis Lot flute is crafted in solid silver. It is beautifully made and has all of the charm of later Louis Lot flutes. The silverwork is very precise and it has fine open-hole keys and decorated crown. The embouchure measures 10.16 x 12.30.

The flute is in very good condition. It does, however, need an overhaul, including new pads. If we fully insert the head joint, it plays at a=445 Hz. Just like many other Louis Lot flutes, the head joint has been shortened somewhat. By pulling out around 5 mm, we get a smooth a=440 Hz.

This particular Louis Lot flute has a monogram. It was bought by its previous owner with the history that it had belonged to Fernand Léon Joseph CARATGÉ (1902–1991). He was a prominent French flutist and a key figure in the French Flute School of the 20th century. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire under Philippe GAUBERT (1879-1941), earning his Premier Prix in 1924. His early career included freelance performances and a position as first flute in an orchestra in Bucharest, before he joined the Lamoureux Orchestra in France, where he played from 1935 to 1962. Caratgé was also part of the Opéra Comique orchestra from 1951 to 1968. He made some significant recordings.

He served as an assistant to Gaston CRUNELLE (1898-1990) at the Paris Conservatoire from 1951 to 1969.   In 1956, he made revisions to the flute method created by Joseph Henri ALTÈS (1826-1895).

Fernand Caratgé was of course known for his admiration of Louis Lot flutes and became tester for all the instruments produced by Marigaux in 1951.