Francois Devienne

François Devienne, a luminary of the Classical period, was a versatile French composer and virtuoso performer, mastering both the flute and bassoon. As a professor at the Paris Conservatory, he significantly influenced the world of wind music. Devienne's prolific output includes around 300 instrumental works, with a notable focus on concertos for his own instruments. His compositions, totaling 7 concertante symphonies, 14 flute concertos, 5 bassoon concertos, 25 quartets and quintets, 46 trios, 147 duos, and 67 sonatas, showcase his mastery and innovation. A celebrated performer at the Paris Opéra and a sought-after chamber musician, Devienne's legacy endures as one of the most significant composers of wind music in the late 18th century.