Aurèle Nicolet, one of the most important twentieth century flutists died yesterday, aged 90, according to the Swiss Radio. The Neuchâtel born Nicolet, one of the first flutists practicing ‘circular breathing’, was soloist at the Berlin Philharmonic for nine years, engaged by Wilhelm Furtwängler and playing later with Celibidache and Karajan. He became a world famous soloist on his own, and a great teacher. One of his students was Emmanuel Pahud. Composers such as Toru Takemitsu, György Ligeti, Krzysztof Meyer and Edison Denisov wrote works for him.
