"Whether there is a better flute player than Debost in terms of control, finesse, beauty and technical command is extremely doubtful. And as perfect as his playing is, Debost is no automaton, playing in a bloodless baroque style. He is living, breathing music, thrilling and intense."

San Fransisco Chronicle

Biography

One of the world's most renowned flutists, Michel Debost is eagerly awaited wherever he is scheduled to perform, delighting audiences with the unusual excellence of his performing gift.

Michel Debost was born in Paris of an American mother and French father. He began to study the flute at the age of ten. At age 20, he graduated from the Paris Conservatoire with the two first prizes in flute and chamber music. Since that time he has won first prizes in numerous competitions, including Moscow, Prague, Munich, Geneva and Rome, and has appeared as soloist with all of the major European orchestras under renowned conductors including Herbert von Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic. His duo recitals and chamber music appearances have won standing ovations and repeat engagements everywhere. Mr. Debost served as Principal Flute of the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, and between 1967-89, was First Chair of the Orchestre de Paris, under its prestigious conductors, Munch, Karajan, Solti and Barenboim. Major music festivals in which he has participated include those of Salzburg, Aix-en-Provence, Menton, and the Bach Festivals of Ansbach.

Michel Debost tours the United States and Canada frequently, either as soloist with orchestras or in recitals. He has appeared with the San Francisco Symphony, and at the Library of Congress, New York's Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall. He has spent several summers on the faculty of the Marlboro Festival. His reputation as a grand master of his instrument causes Mr. Debost to be in constant demand for masterclasses and lecture/recitals at conservatories and universities throughout the world. His monthly column "Debost's Comments" appears in Flute Talk (The Instrumentalist Magazine). Often entertaining and sometimes controversial, Mr. Debost's comments are enjoyed by flutists everywhere.

Upcoming engagements include a recital tours of Asia and Europe, trio concerts with the Amici Trio (comprised of Michel Debost, flute, Monique Duphil, piano and Jay Humeston, cello) throughout the United States and Canada, and solo appearances with the Toulouse Chamber Orchestra during their North American Tour (Fall 1996).

Mr. Debost has recorded the flute literature nearly in its entirety, including works with orchestra, piano/harpsichord and chamber ensembles. His recordings include the complete Bach Sonatas with Lionel Rogg, harpsichord, and Mozart Concerti with Daniel Barenboim and the Orchestre de Paris. On the CBS label he has recorded Schoenberg's "Pierrot Lunaire," with Barenboim at the piano, Pinchas Zuckerman, violin and viola, Lynn Harrell, cello and Yvonne Minton, mezzo- soprano, conducted by Pierre Boulez. Mr. Debost has been the recipient of the prestigious "Grands Prix du Disque" for many of his recordings. His recent cd collection "Flute Panorama 1, 2, 3, 4" (with more due to be released) highlights the flute repertoire of the 20th century.

In September, 1989, Michel Debost was appointed to his current position as chairman of the flute department at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music.