Music, My Love

Showbiz biography, not intended to be in any sense "profound". But fun, and the man writes with justifiable pride about his promotion of the flute and its literature. We learn (not surprisingly in a man so exuberantly in love with life) that the man is given to giggling fits, which on memorable occasions have made it impossible for him to perform; had he become the doctor he originally intended there might well be people walking around in Marseilles with some very crooked sutures! Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Like Rampal's expert, limpid flute-playing, this cheerful memoir, written with freelancer Wise, is fluent and enjoyable. The son of a famous flutist from Marseilles, Rampal seems to have been a superb, natural-born musician and technician from the start. Crossing over into occupied France during World War II as a lark, he was immediately accepted as a student at the Paris Conservatory; without proper identity papers he had to change hotels every week to dodge the police and the Gestapo. Giving pleasure to audiences and record buyers all over the world for the past 40 years, he is the virtuoso who has made the flute a popular solo instrument. With its shrewd observations and entertaining anecdotes about the world of classical and popular music, as well as matters nonmusical, Rampal's story will have wide appeal. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Superstar flutist of the concert world who established the flute as a viable solo concert instrument, Rampal here describes his life and career in a frank, breezy account that combines in equal parts anecdotes about himself, his friends and family, the world of music, and his chosen instrument. Rampal has enjoyed life to the full: his love of good food, wine, and company, as well as performing, threads its way through the narrative. Clearly, his bonhomie and good-natured charm have contributed much to his huge success, winning over audiences and colleagues alike. There is no deep soul-searching in this memoir, but it is both entertaining and illuminating about a life devoted to music-making.
- Susan Kagan, Hunter Coll., CUNY
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.