Paris Conservatory Flute Concours


The Paris Conservatory Flute Concours was the most highly regarded flute contest in Paris in the Romantic Period. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Paris was home to the world's cultural elite. At this time the Paris Conservatoire was considered to be the finest institute in France for music studies. Paul Taffanel was a professor at this Conservatoire, as well as the founder of the modern French school of flute playing.
Starting from 1860, at the end of each year students took part in a flute performance competition known as the Concours Pieces. A piece of flute music was commissioned by Paul Taffanel to be performed at the Concours Pieces each year. Students would play this piece of repertoire before a panel of experts. This is why a dedication to Paul Taffanel appears on many of the following pieces of sheet music: