Customer Reviews

Music, My Love

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In Rampal's Music, My Love you intimately learn about Rampal's life from growing up in Marseilles, Frances in 1922 to when this autobiography was written, 1989. For the true fan, this book is a gem to understand who Rampal was, aside from his internationally famous career as the "Father of the Flute". While reading, you will learn of his grandfatherly warmth towards life, the flute, and food. I highly recommend this great story to anyone interested in a caring person and a gifted musician. And interestingly enough, his mother was destined to make him a doctor.

A light-hearted journey with Rampal into his life. A down to earth honest account - transparent is the word - a voyeurism of sorts with Rampal into his personal decisions, experiences, how he chose to do life - refreshing joie de vivre all the way. This is a man brilliant in musicianship, fiercely loyal in relationships, says it as it is with his heart on his sleeve, highly emotive - and without a doubt brilliant intellectually (medical background) - who has chosen to pursue his first love, passion and heart - the flute and music. His lifelong awe and admiration for his father is evident throughout to whom he gives much credence for who he has become. Rampal does not forget to give credit where it is due. Peppered with hillarious anecdotes of his escapades - bravado as well as the opposite. You must credit the man for his integrity.

An autobiography written with freelancer Deborah Wise. Makes a fluent and most delightful read. Meet the prolific genius whose mastery of the flute is legendary. We get to see a glimpse of the psyche behind the man and probably found it surprisingly light-hearted - with no trace at all of the sternness or steel usually found in maestros.

What a refreshing approach to life & love. His joie de vivre is catchy and you'd find yourself chuckling through.

Filled with insights on the life journey of this prolific genius flutist. His roots. Born in France in the 1920s, his father actively discouraged him from becoming a flutist like him, rather (his mother) steering him towards a medical career. WWII however disrupted his medical training plans and sealed his destiny when the family then decided it would be easier to safely navigate the difficult war years as a flutist then a doctor in training.

Book tells of his survival through several hardships, how through the process he had emerged in the 50s having built around him a reputation in France as a flutist with extraordinary sensibilities, technique and tone that was unsurpassed. Just listen to his rendition of Poulenc's Sonata for Flute & Piano and Debussy's Syrinx and you will know what I mean. The interpretation and palette of tone colors are breathtaking.

The flute then was just another orchestral instrument never in the fore as a solo instrument. This autobiography brings us on a historical, career, life journey with Rampal - how he managed to accomplish what no one had before him, ie gain acceptance for the flute as a solo instrument. A lot of wisdom and skill. On the one hand, by shrewdly expanding the flute's repertoire into the the increasingly popular baroque manuscripts and using his influence to encourage new contemporary works for the flute; and on the other, through his extraordinary playing prowess, he had legitimized the flute as a solo instrument that no other had achieved before him. This catapulted him onto world stage by the sixties where he remained a celebrity flutist for the rest of his life...even appearing with MissPiggy on Sesame St (viewable on YouTube) He passed away in May 2000.

His success has paved the way for the illustrious careers of the next generation of flutists after him, James Galway, William Bennett and the like.

I just finished this book, and am probably going to read it again soon! I love Rampal's playing and listen to it often. It was so wonderful to be able to "hear" Rampal's voice in this autobiography as he recounts his life and times as a flutist of unprecidented popularity. Without the opportunity to see or meet Mr. Rampal (he died in 2000), this book affords the best alternative available. And I'm just soooo very glad someone talked him into doing this! If you are a Rampal fan, you will not be sorry you snatched up a copy of this book.