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. Montague Bros & Co are known to have been retailers.

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

Concert flute, Boehm system, with cleaning rod and case, wood / metal, maker unknown, France, sold by Montague Bros & Co, London, England, possibly 1890-1910, owned and played by Richard Chugg.

Boehm system concert flute in high pitch constructed of cocus wood with German silver keys. Constructed in three sections. The head joint is metal lined with the finish very worn and the lower section cracking at side. 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 as well as at upper end of middle joint.

A flute cleaning rod, made of wood and metal, which consists of a wooden rod with finely turned grooves around the base and a rectangular shape at the top with a rectangular hole in teh centre.

A case for Boehm system concert flute, made of metal, velvet and leather, rectangular in shape it consists of two pieces, lid and base, joined at one side with leather covering and secures at the opening side with a small metal lock. Interior of case is lined with velvet and includes compartments for the flute head, middle and foot as well as cleaning rod,

Made: 1915 - 1925

Owned: Chugg, Richard; Melbourne, Victoria; 1963

Headjoint: "Class B / Montague Bros & Co / 65 Goldsmiths Row / London / 1844".
Body: As for headjoint
Foot: front - "Montague Bros & Co / London". Rear - "2".

Case: label in lid: "Montague Bros & Co / Makers / 65, Goldsmiths Row / London & Branches".

2007/157/4

1915 - 1925

40 mm

50 mm