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.

French made trade instrument possibly made for the English market and imported by Melbourne musical instrument retailer, Alfred Percy Sykes.

The Australian National Archives records indicate that Sykes applied for a trade mark featuring a triangle and a nightingale on 28th August 1899 and it was to be used on all musical instruments (except triangles, according to the original application). The application also states that AP Sykes was specifically a musical instrument importer rather than a maker. This flute however does not include this trade mark.

Sands Melbourne Directory for 1901 corroborates Sykes as an importer, giving the following description;
Â?AP Sykes Â? Importer of pianos, organs and musical instruments of all kinds, agent for BessonÂ?s band instruments Â? 227 Little Collins StreetÂ?.

The company continued well into the 20th century. They were still listed in Sands Directory in 1930 and it is known from a notebook compiled by Melbourne flute maker Clewin Harcourt, that he did repair work for Sykes in the 1940s.

Michael Lea
Curator, April 2009.

One of several flutes belonging to Richard Chugg, principal flute of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Concert flute, Boehm system, with case, wood / metal, made by F Courture & Co, Paris, France, sold by A P Sykes, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, probably 1890-1910, owned and played by Richard Chugg.

Boehm system concert flute in high pitch made of cocus wood with German silver keys. Constructed in three sections. The head joint is metal lined and has a crack at the rear. Two metal bands around head joint either side of embouchure hole. Small metal button on end cap of head joint. Cork and metal tenons used for each joint at each end of middle body section. Metal rings used at each end of head and foot joints.

A case for Boehm system concert flute, made of leather, metal and velvet, rectangular in shape it consists of a curved top and base joined at one side with leather covering and at the other with two metal clasps. Opening side also has a small key hole. Interior is lined with velvet and has three compartments to hold flute head, middle and foot.

Made: F Couture & Co; ; 1890 - 1910

Owned: Chugg, Richard; Melbourne, Victoria; 1963

Head joint: "Made In France / AP Sykes/Melbourne / [star]". "[star] / F. Courture & Co. / Paris".
Body: "Made In France / AP Sykes / Melbourne / [star]".
Foot joint: no marks

2007/157/2

1890 - 1910

40 mm

47 mm