Aurèle Nicolet has passed away
Flutist Aurèle Nicolet, born in Neuchâtel in 1926, died on January 29 at the age of 90. He was one of the most renowned Swiss musicians of the 20th century.
Aurèle Nicolet studied the flute in Zurich and Paris. In 1947, he won first prize at the Paris Conservatoire, and the following year at the Geneva Competition. Aurèle Nicolet was then spotted by Wilhelm Furtwrängler, who hired him as principal flautist at the Berlin Philharmonic. He played there for nine years, notably under the baton of Sergiu Celibidache and Herbert von Karajan.
Aurèle Nicolet also devoted many years of his life to teaching the flute. He published a method for this instrument in 1967. He was one of the pioneers of continuous breathing. Toru Takemitsu, György Ligeti, Krzysztof Meyer and Edison Denisov composed pieces for him.
