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Jean-Pierre
Rampal, who popularized the flute as a solo instrument and became
one of classical music's brightest stars, died of heart failure on
May 20, 2000, in Paris. He was 78.
Rampal,
one of the most recorded classical musicians in history, was best-known
for his love of Baroque music, though he played everything from
jazz to Indian music to English folk songs, said Sony Classical,
his record label. Rampal's trademark was his gold flute, with which
he never parted.
"His
flute ... spoke to the heart," French President Jacques Chirac
said in a statement. "A light in the musical world has just
flickered out."
Rampal
was born on Jan. 7, 1922, in the southern port city of Marseille,
the son of a flute teacher who did not encourage his son to
become a professional musician. Rampal's early interest was
medicine.
He
became serious about music during World War II, after Nazi
occupying forces in France drafted him for labor in Germany.
He left medical school and went underground in Paris, where
he studied at the National Conservatory and attracted the
Paris musical community's attention.
After
the war ended, he became principal flutist in the Paris
Opera's orchestra.
When
Rampal began his career, the flute was often overlooked
as a solo instrument, with audiences preferring more traditional
solo works for piano and violin. During his decades-long
career, Rampal helped propel the flute back into the spotlight.
He
was much-loved in North America, where he performed
recital tours annually and topped Billboard charts.
Rampal
also gained recognition as a conductor.
Rampal
is survived by his wife, Francoise; two children,
Isabelle and Jean-Jacques; and five grandchildren.
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