In London there are still more performers experimenting with the flute than anywhere else in the world. William Bennett is one who continues to experiment with scales and headjoints, and Elmer Cole, who too has behind the scenes been influential in flute design. The late Sebastian Bell, and many others including your author, have all found messing about with flutes totally irresistible!

Robert Sidney Pratten was born into a musical family in Bristol in 1824. He had some help learning the eight keyed ‘simple system’ flute from his family when he was young, and at the age of 12 was playing flute solos in public. He also played the piano and the viola left handed. In 1845, at the age of 21, he became principal flute in the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden.

A rich and generous baronet, Sir Warwick Tonkin, took him on tour to Europe to give him the opportunity to see some of the world, and to give him the chance to perform in the major European capitals which he did with great success. On his return, he changed his flute to the Siccama System, another keywork design, though such was his skill that it didn’t matter what kind of flute he played.

Whilst pursuing his career in London, he composed a great deal for the flute, though much of his music has been forgotten. According to the author R.S. Rockstro, he was “one of the most generous, amiable and warm hearted of men”. His performing career earned him the respect of his colleagues and of the public, who were enthusiastic in their praise.

In 1852 he began his experiments on the keywork and fi ngering system which later resulted in his ‘Pratten’s Perfected’ flute, and this was manufactured by Messrs. Boosey & Co. He died in Ramsgate in 1868.

Pratten’s humour can be seen in the following note which he wrote to a friend inviting him to dinner with flute duets to follow. It reads:

36 Welbeck Street, Cavendish Square,
W.  Feb. 19 1866, Monday 1/4 past 3
Dear Mathias,  
Loin of Swine with savoury perfume at 6 Come in time to have a tuck in & we will blow out our Flutes afterwards.
Hoping this will reach you in time.
I am
Yours sincerely,
Timothy Blowhard,
alias R. Sidney Pratten

He must have been fun to know.

Trevor Wye spends his time giving concerts and master classes the world over including his well known presentation, The Carnival of Venice for 60 flutes and piano. His Practice Book series has been translated into ten other languages, and his biography of his former teacher, Marcel Moyse, has also been widely acclaimed. Besides travelling widely, he teaches at his Flute Studio in Kent.
Trevor is also the Programme Director of the 2010 British Flute Society Convention: www.bfs.org.uk and the General Editor of The Flute Ark – the new flute encyclopedia: www.fluteark.com www.trevorwye.com