This flute, which forms part of a collection of flutes and piccolos belonging to Richard Chugg, is of major significance to the collection and to Australian flute playing due to its association with Richard Chugg. Born in 1902 in Melbourne, Chugg became one of Australia's greatest flautists after an adventurous seafaring career that included surviving a shipwreck.

After retiring from the sea at the age of 22, being unable to gain an officer's ticket due to near blindness in one eye due to a childhood accident, Chugg began intensive flute practice giving a series of flute recitals after only 18 months in 1924. It was after this that he was asked to play first flute by Alberto Zelman in an orchestra, which later became the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 1932. In 1936 he studied in Europe with Gordon Walker in London, Marcel Moyse in Paris, Albert Harzer in Berlin and Arno Brauling in Dresden.

Returning to Australia, Chugg is acknowledged as having brought the French style and tone of flute playing to Australia and particularly the use of vibrato. Playing in several Melbourne orchestras and under several conductors Chugg also championed new works for flute. He also played chamber music and solo works as well as taught flute until his death in 1963.

References:

Karen Chugg; "Clarence Richard "Dick" Chugg" in Flute Australia, (Autumn/Winter, 1997, pp.6-10).

Linda Vogt AM; Flute Players of Note in Australia (Linda Vogt, NSW, 2004).


Michael Lea
Curator, music & musical instruments
May, 2007.

This flute was made by Rudall Carte in London on 25 November 1927 by Green. It was sold on 3 March 1928 to Suttons Pty Ltd, Melbourne for £56.1.3

Used by Richard Chugg when principal flute of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. In an article written by Karen Chugg about her father she quotes a Hobart newspaper which describes this flute; "The warmly-toned bass flute, rarely heard, was played with considerable artistry by Richard Chugg in a somewhat restrained performance...But the Allegro Scherzando from Ibert's Flute Concerto was thoroughly satisfying. The soloist had the finest command of breath control and legato playing." (see "Clarence Richard "Dick" Chugg" by Karen Chugg, Flute Australia, Autumn/Winter, 1997, pp.9-10.)

Alto Flute, Radcliff system, with case and cleaning rod, silver / leather / velvet / wood, made by Rudall Carte & Co Ltd, London, England, 1927, owned and played by Richard Chugg.

An alto flute in G, made of wood and silver, with a raised lip plate, which consists of four pieces, a flute head, a barrel, a flute middle and flute foot joint.

A flute cleaning rod, made of wood and metal, which consists of a wooden rod with a rectancular top with a rectangular hole in centre. Rod has finely turned grooves around the base and has a metal tube around middle.

With a case for alto flute, made of leather, metal and felt. Rectangular in shape it consists of a flat base and a curved top attached at one side with two brass hinges and with metal clasps at the other. Side of opening has a small key hole. Top of case has a small silver plate which is engraved with text and reads, 'C.RICHARD CHUGG'. Inside of case is lined with felt and contains spaces for the flute head, barrel, middle, foot and cleaning rod.

Made: Rudall, Carte & Co Ltd; ; 1927

Used: Chugg, Richard; ; 1927 - 1963

Serial No: 7080 also silver hall marks
Headjoint: Two silver hall marks - lion passant and leopard head.
Body: Front - "Rudall Cart & Co Ltd / 23 Berners Street / London W." Back - "R.C.& Co." and three silver hall marks - lion passant, leopard head and m. Serial no on back.
Foot: Hall marks as for headjoint.

Case: label in lid reads "Rudall Carte & Co. Ltd. / 23 Berners Street / London".

2007/157/1

1927

45 mm

55 mm