A series of great early Orchestra and Instrumental performances: From 1902 G&Ts to 40s wartime German records:

recorded 8 octobre 1937

Great performance by  René le Roy & Trio Pasquier
Mozart Flute Quartet in A, K 298 (entire) - I. Andante
II. Minuet
III. Rondo: Allegretto grazioso

great pre war gold label 12" 78 rpm record

Condition: Excellent close to pristine. Plays very quiet few ticks

A GREAT COPY

René le Roy was born in Maisons-Laffitte, a suburb of Paris, on March 4, 1898. His father was an excellent amateur flutist and his mother played the piano quite well. At an early age, René played the piano and, when he was eight years old, he began the study of the flute, under his father's tutelage. After six months, the boy was so proficient that the flute instructor at the Paris Conservatory urged the elder le Roy to enroll René in his classes. Mr. le Roy, however, felt it would be better for the boy to complete his academic course at the Lycée Condorcet before concentrating on a musical career. He did not consider it wise to allow his son to embark, prematurely, on a professional career as a child prodigy. So it was not until he was eighteen that René entered the Conservatory, At the end of his second year, he was awarded the Premier Prix and shortly after, he succeeded his distinguished teacher, Phillipe Gaubert, as head of the Paris Society of Wind Instruments—a post which he held for ten years. His first real professional engagements were on a tour of twenty cities in Switzerland with the Society in 1919, the year after he became its leader. He followed this with many seasons of successful tours of Europe, both with the Society and in concerts of his own, which helped immeasurably to establish the position of flute as a solo instrument, In 1922, le Roy founded the Paris Instrumental Quintet which, in a very short time, became internationally known and renowned. This ensemble played more than 800 concerts in Europe and America, coming to the United States for the first time during the season of 1934-35. It was not le Roy's first American visit, however, for 1929 marked his debut in this country and in that year he made his first American concert tour as a solo artist. Since the year which marked his first apearance here, René le Roy has been a favorite in this country. He has appeared many times as soloist with leading European and American Symphony Orchestras in addition to being celebrated as a recitalist and chamber musician. He has made recordings for Victor and Musicraft, and has been heard as guest artist on outstanding coast-to-coast radio programs. Several composers, inspired by his playing, have written music especially for him and his chamber music groups. Among them have been Vincent d'lndy, Albert Roussel, Joseph Jongen and Cyril Scott. Now that he makes the United States his home, Mr. le Roy divides his concert activities between solo work, both with and without orchestra, and essemble music. Currently, in addition to his solo activities, he is performing in ensemble with Janos Scholar world-renowned cellist, and Sidney Foster, out-standing young American pianist. Hobbies of a famous musician: photography and collecting rare flutes are the chief hobbies of René le Roy, flutist extraordinaire. His photography is an outgrowth of his love for the country and nature and he's particularly interested in wildlife pictures. He finds his flute very useful in the latter instance. He imitates the calls of various birds with it and it's possible to do this so accurately that "the birds will be charmed and come almost to one's hand." Then, of course, photographing them is easy. As for his collection of flutes, he has two which he plays in concert. One is the work of the French master craftsman, Louis Lot, which le Roy's father gave him when he was eight years old, and the other is a silver instrument made by an American firm. Many of his flutes are rare old items—museum pieces. He has an exquisite crystal instrument with silver rings, made by a Persian artisan in 1815; several Oriental flutes of bamboo, silk, and jade; and a sacred flute from the ancient Aztec pyramids of Mexico, made of a human shin bone. Among the most interesting of his many old and beautiful instruments is an elaborately carved ivory flute which once belonged to Frederick-the-Great. It was sent to le Roy, in its original sumptuous case with the royal arms of Prussia on the cover, by a friend who enclosed a note: "This belonged to the flutist King; now I give it to the King of Flutists." In addition to his collecting, and his photography, le Roy likes good movies, good music and good theatre of any sort. He enjoys bridge, fishing and spectator sports, though he's not particularly athletic. And, until rationing made it such a serious matter, he found great pleasure in dabbling in cookery.