Francois Devienne – «the artist worthy of respect and favorable attitude»

Abstract

The article is dedicated to Francois Devienne, one of the first flute teachers at the Paris Conservatory. The purpose of this scientific article is determination of the performing, pedagogical and compositional achievements of Francois Devienne, their influence on the development of French flute art in the second half of the 18th century. The tasks of scientific research are aimed at highlighting Francois Devienne’s role in the creation of flute classes at the Paris Conservatory and the formation of a repertoire for the instrument. The research methods includes historical-genetic, historical-biographical, historiographical, comparative and chronological ways of scientific knowledge. The scientific novelty of the article is to reveal the main directions of Francois Devienne’s creative activity and to detail the artist’s achievements in the formation of the French flute school at the end of the 18th century. Conclusions. Francois Devienne together with his predecessors Jacques Hotteterre and Michel Blavet, belongs to a constellation of prominent French composers and educators, whose creative achievements had a significant impact not only on the development of French flute art, but also European in general. As a virtuoso performer and multi-instrumentalist, he confidently presents the flute and bassoon at the best concert venues in Paris, consolidating their position as solo instruments. François Devienne’s pedagogical achievements were most vividly manifested in the development of technological and artistic principles of flute didactics. The solo and chamber-instrumental repertoire for flute and other wind instruments created by him remains in demand by modern performers and is increasingly heard in concert programs.