Music Reviews : Rampal Flute Recital at Ambassador Auditorium

Flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal’s appearance at Ambassador Auditorium Thursday evening added little that was especially notable to his outstanding, 44-year career. Although it is evident that he is still a commanding virtuoso, the evening was not without problems.

His frequent sniffling and coughing between movements indicated that the 68-year-old Frenchman was suffering from a cold. The ailment undoubtedly contributed to a general lack of concentration and weak tone throughout most of the first half of the recital, dedicated to sonatas by Handel and Leclair.

Yet the spirited attention Rampal gave Telemann’s Sonata in F affirmed his reputation as an enthusiast of the Baroque era, though not a purist. His style of precise phrasing, consistent in every octave and dynamic level, continues to offer dazzling displays, not sacrificing refinement.

The only 20th-Century offering, David Diamond’s Sonata (1986-87), added mild spice to a program that otherwise offered few surprises. Written for Rampal, the four-movement, neo-classic study playfully deals with an austere choice of melodic elements, sometimes overstating them.

Rampal gave the work an apt reading, soaring through difficult passages competently.

John Steele Ritter offered reliable, steady accompaniment on the piano. His work on harpsichord during the Baroque set also impressed with his seamless phrasings and finesse.

The sumptuousness of Kuhlau’s Introduction and Rondo, Opus 98, and extended techniques of Akio Yashiro’s quirky flute arrangement of Antonio Bazzini’s violin show-piece “Le ronde des lutins” proved flashy additions. Three encores of popular classics completed the program.