Welcome to the Summer Edition of Flute Almanac!
We’re thrilled to present the vibrant new Summer Edition of Flute Almanac, packed with 21 fresh, insightful, and inspiring articles from around the globe. This issue brings together voices from France, Germany, Argentina, the United States, Hungary, Russia, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland, showcasing the true international spirit of our flute community.
From in-depth research and historical discoveries to interviews, pedagogical insights, and performance reflections, this edition celebrates the diversity of flute culture across continents and generations. And of course, we haven’t forgotten to add a splash of fun and humor, because what would summer be without a smile?
Whether you’re looking for thought-provoking reads, practical advice, or simply a joyful moment with flute-themed laughter, this edition has something for everyone. So sit back, relax, and enjoy your summer journey through the world of the flute — one article at a time.
Created as a bold, independent platform, the magazine was born from a vision to serve, celebrate, and grow with the international flute community. We are incredibly proud of what we’ve built — and deeply grateful to every contributor, translator, reader, and supporter who helped us get here.
Our core values remain strong:
Educational Value – From beginners to professionals, we offer high-quality content including interviews, repertoire spotlights, technique guides, and historical features.
Community Focus – Through events, forums, and shared stories, we foster an inclusive, welcoming space for flutists of all backgrounds.
Free Access – We are one of the few fully free flute magazines, ensuring world-class content is available to all.
In May 2025, Flute Almanac was honored with a special recognition award from Google for reaching 113,000 views within 4 weeks via Google Search and being officially ranked as the #1 global flute magazine by Google AI. This achievement reflects the growing strength of our worldwide community and the dedication of readers, contributors, and artists from 232 countries.
In this edition:
If Flute Brands Had Personalities
by Flute Almanac
What if your flute had a personality? In this whimsical and witty article, Flute Almanac imagines popular flute brands as real-life characters — from the brooding artist to the overachieving perfectionist, the charming romantic to the futuristic rebel. With affectionate humor and insider knowledge, each brand is portrayed as a fully formed persona with quirks, charm, and signature style. Whether you’re team Haynes or Guo, you’ll find yourself laughing — and maybe identifying just a little too much with your flute. A must-read for every flutist who’s ever felt their instrument had a vibe.
Silent Practice: How to Annoy No One and Still Win
by Flute Almanac
A hilarious and surprisingly useful guide to practicing flute without making a sound — and without driving anyone crazy. This article explores the world of silent practice, from invisible finger drills to air-fluting and mental rehearsals, offering practical (and humorous) ways to improve your technique while keeping the peace. Whether you’re dodging roommate complaints or just want to level up your skills in stealth mode, this read is your ultimate toolkit for becoming a silent flute ninja.
Amplifying the Flute: Techniques and Tools for Electroacoustic Performance
Aude Prieur
French flutist Aude Prieur opens a window into the electrifying world of amplified flute performance. Drawing from her extensive experience in genres ranging from world music and Celtic rock to electro and hip-hop, she shares the tools, pedals, and microphones that transform the classical flute into a powerhouse of modern sound. With technical detail and personal insight, Prieur explores everything from beatbox techniques and loopers to the Robert Dick glissando headjoint and effects like distortion and delay. An inspiring guide for flutists seeking to push sonic boundaries.
Classics Rethought – A Flute Ensemble on New Paths
Barbara Gisler-Haase
In this fascinating overview, Barbara Gisler-Haase shares the vision and legacy of the Vienna Flautists, the renowned flute ensemble she co-founded in 1983. For over three decades, the group reimagined major works from piano and string literature for a full flute ensemble – from piccolo to contrabass flute – offering audiences a unique and richly layered sound. Now, with over 20 of their arrangements published by Universal Edition, this innovative repertoire is accessible to ensembles around the world. Gisler-Haase reflects on the artistic mission behind these arrangements, the importance of exploring lesser-known repertoire, and the joy of ensemble playing. A compelling invitation to think differently about what flute ensembles can achieve.
Trabajando sobre el Café 1930 de Astor Piazzolla
Eduardo Tami
In this insightful article, renowned Argentinian flutist Eduardo Tami begins an engaging series on interpreting Café 1930 by Astor Piazzolla. With deep knowledge of both tango traditions and Piazzolla’s unique language, Tami explores how to adapt the expressive style of the bandoneón to the flute. Drawing on personal performance practices – including glissandi, altered phrasing, and rhythmic nuances – he invites readers to rethink interpretation through a blend of authenticity and artistic freedom. This first installment offers a close look at the opening phrases of Café 1930 and proposes alternatives that honor Piazzolla’s spirit while embracing the voice of the flute.
In this vivid and personal account, American composer Eugene Magalif recounts his unforgettable experience attending the 40th International Flute Festival in Lima, Peru, where his Flute Concerto was performed at the opening gala. Invited by festival founder and director César Vivanco Sánchez, Magalif shares behind-the-scenes moments, rehearsals, performances, and heartfelt encounters with exceptional flutists from across the globe. With warmth, humor, and insight, he brings to life the musical energy of Lima – often considered the flute capital of South America – and reflects on the joy of hearing his music brought to life on a new continent.
The General Who Stole Frederick the Great’s Flute
by Gyula Czeloth-Csetényi
This fascinating article uncovers the extraordinary journey of an ivory flute once owned by Frederick the Great of Prussia – captured not in battle, but during a daring raid on Berlin led by Hungarian General András Hadik in 1757. Blending military history, cultural intrigue, and musical heritage, Gyula Czeloth-Csetényi traces the flute’s wartime origins, its transfer through noble and religious hands, and its final home in Hungary’s National Museum. A remarkable story of politics, artistry, and the unexpected fate of a royal instrument.
In this comprehensive and pioneering article, Marco Gaudino explores the deep physiological connections between the voice and the flute, delving into the behavior of the vocal cords during sound production and technical exercises on wind instruments. From early treatises by Agricola and Quantz to groundbreaking Japanese laryngoscopic studies and the vibrato research of Jochen Gärtner, the article traces how vocal physiology – particularly the glottis – plays a crucial role in tone, vibrato, articulation, and sound support. Gaudino combines historical, anatomical, and empirical research with personal insights, offering a detailed, science-based analysis of breathing, resonance, and muscular response. A must-read for flutists and wind players seeking to understand the voice – flute connection and improve performance through physiological awareness.
Where the Musicians Are: Music as a Way of Life
by Marco Gaudino
In this poetic and introspective piece, Marco Gaudino reflects on the profound transformation that music brings to those who study and love it deeply. Blurring the line between essay and meditation, he captures the everyday reality of musicians – their routines, passions, sacrifices, and emotional intensity. Through a series of vivid observations, Gaudino portrays music not as a school subject, but as a lifestyle, a calling, and a space where time, emotion, and identity are shaped by sound. A heartfelt ode to the musician’s inner world.
Vincenzo De Michelis – Flautist of 19th-Century Rome
by Maurizio Bignardelli
This richly detailed article traces the life and legacy of Vincenzo De Michelis (1825–1891), a fascinating but long-forgotten figure of the Roman flute scene in the 19th century. Far from the traveling virtuoso model of his contemporaries, De Michelis remained in Rome, where he flourished as a salon performer, teacher, composer, and inventor of his own flute system. Musicologist and flutist Maurizio Bignardelli shares decades of research, performances, and rediscoveries — including rare manuscripts, recordings, and a monodic 30-minute flute solo in all keys — illuminating a colorful and unique voice in Italy’s flute history.
This first installment in a pedagogical series by Marina Vologdina focuses on the most crucial early skills for beginner flutists: proper breathing and tone production. Drawing on years of teaching experience, the author introduces foundational exercises for developing breath support, explains the physiological differences between everyday and performance breathing, and offers imagery-rich techniques to help children internalize these concepts. With special attention to the transition from recorder to transverse flute, Vologdina addresses posture, embouchure, and the role of articulation. A must-read for teachers and parents guiding children through the vital first steps of flute playing.
La Biomusica applicata al Flauto Traverso: A Journey Between Science and Art
by Mirella Pantano
This captivating article explores the intersection of flute technique and biomusic – a multidisciplinary approach that merges art, science, and body awareness. Mirella Pantano guides readers through the foundational principles of biomusic, emphasizing the profound connection between body, mind, and sound. Through concepts such as conscious breathing, posture, vibration, and emotional presence, she illustrates how flutists can use biomusic not only to enhance their technical skills, but also to promote personal well-being and authentic artistic expression.
Shakuhachi: The Sound of Japan, Breath, Silence and Spirit
by Rodrigo Rodríguez
In this deeply personal and poetic reflection, internationally acclaimed flutist Rodrigo Rodríguez recounts his journey from Western classical training to the meditative world of the Japanese shakuhachi. Exploring the instrument’s rich history and spiritual philosophy, Rodríguez shares how studying with masters like Kōhachirō Miyata transformed his understanding of sound, breath, and silence. The article weaves technical insight with cultural perspective, offering readers a rare window into the shakuhachi’s profound musical language and its dialogue with Western traditions.
Two Days of “Flute Intensive” at Weinberg Castle with FLUTE TRENDS
by Stefan Keller
Set in the stunning surroundings of Weinberg Castle in Upper Austria, this fully booked two-day seminar led by Swiss flutist and composer Stefan Keller brought together flute teachers and professionals for a dynamic, hands-on exploration of modern flute pedagogy. From extended techniques and improvisation to breathing practices, low flutes, and quadraphonic performances with live electronics, the FLUTE TRENDS intensive offered an inspiring blend of innovation and artistry. Reflections from participants highlight the event’s deep educational impact, joyful atmosphere, and practical takeaways for everyday teaching.
Shaping Large Structures
by Timothy Lane
In this follow-up to his previous articles on expressive shaping, Timothy Lane explores how flutists can move beyond single phrases to shape larger musical structures. Drawing on spatial movement, phrasing tools, and emotional contrast, Lane introduces new exercises that emphasize the use of timing, tone color, and degrees of closure to clarify sequential phrasing. With examples from Bona and Mascagni, this article offers advanced yet practical strategies to elevate musical expression and structural awareness in performance.
Kaija Saariaho (1952–2023): The Luminous Voice of the North
by Vilma Campitelli
In this reflective tribute, Vilma Campitelli offers a thoughtful overview of Kaija Saariaho’s flute compositions, examining how they embody the composer’s distinctive approach to sound, texture, and expression. The article explores Saariaho’s use of extended techniques, silence, and electronics, highlighting the poetic depth and technical innovation that characterize her writing for the instrument. With clarity and admiration, Campitelli invites readers to rediscover the beauty and challenge of Saariaho’s works through the eyes of a performer and scholar.
The Day I Almost Lost My Flute – and My Future
by Yulia Berry, DMA
In this deeply personal and emotional account, flutist and educator Yulia Berry recounts a life-altering moment from her years at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory — the day she accidentally left her flute, her only flute, on a public bus in the middle of a Russian winter. What follows is a heart-stopping race through the city, a powerful lesson in gratitude, and a renewed understanding of just how much a flute can mean to the one who plays it. Paired with ten practical strategies for protecting your instrument, this article is both a cautionary tale and a powerful reminder of what’s at stake when music is your life.
The Power of Scales: Why Practicing Them Is Essential for Every Musician
by Yulia Berry, DMA
In this in-depth and inspiring guide, Yulia Berry makes a powerful case for scale practice as the true foundation of musicianship. Drawing on her extensive experience as a performer and educator, she explores the musical, technical, and mental benefits of scales — not as dry routines, but as expressive tools that shape artistry and confidence. With clear, actionable steps, she guides readers through theory-based practice, rhythmic mastery, dynamic control, and even “silent rehearsal” techniques. The article also features a curated list of the Top 10 Flute Methods for scale practice, making it an invaluable resource for students, teachers, and professionals alike. A must-read for anyone who has ever asked, “Do I really need to practice scales?”
REVIEWS
In this moving and meticulously researched album, Sicilian flutist Domenico Testaì revives the long-overlooked Romantic voice of Luigi Hugues through a world-premiere recording of operatic paraphrases based on Verdi’s music. Far more than a tribute, this project combines scholarship, artistry, and pedagogy to showcase Hugues’s expressive and technically brilliant works for flute and piano. With pianist Ninni Spina, Testaì breathes new life into this rare repertoire, offering flutists and listeners alike a chance to rediscover a captivating chapter of 19th-century flute literature steeped in Italian opera and lyrical depth.
Book Review: A Revolutionary Approach to the Physiology of Sound in Wind Instruments
by Flute Almanac
In this in-depth review, Flute Almanac explores Marco Gaudino’s groundbreaking book Nel respigo degli strumenti a fiato ( In the breath of wind instruments)), a landmark study that blends scientific rigor with artistic insight. More than a flute method, the book redefines tone production through anatomical understanding, focusing on breath flow, vocal fold function, and muscular coordination. Gaudino’s revolutionary approach to vibrato, staccato, and long tones – supported by illustrations, custom tools, and original software – positions this work as essential reading for flutists, wind players, and educators seeking to align physiology with expressive performance.
Thank you!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the authors whose inspiring, thoughtful, and diverse contributions made this Summer 2025 Edition of Flute Almanac truly exceptional. Your voices reflect the global richness of the flute world and help us deepen our understanding, spark curiosity, and celebrate this incredible instrument from every angle.
To our readers around the world — thank you for being part of our growing community. Your enthusiasm, feedback, and support continue to motivate us to explore new paths and elevate the art of flute playing.
Flute Almanac is always open to new voices and ideas. If you have an article, research, review, or personal story to share, we warmly invite you to contribute to our next issue, which will be released on September 15, 2025. Let’s continue shaping the future of the flute together.
