Robert Bigio flute pages
Articles on the flute
Christopher Steward’s early flute recordings
Edward de Jong
Edward de Jong (1837–1920) is thought to be the
oldest flute player to have made a recording. It
is remarkable that de Jong’s first teachers may
have been born in the 18th century. Edward de
Jong was born in Holland and had established
himself in England by the time he was 20 years
old. He became first flute in the Hallé Orchestra
in Manchester when it was founded in 1858. In
the same year, Rudall, Rose & Carte advertised
in The Times that de Jong was one of the
distinguished players who used one of their
modern cylindrical flutes.
It would seem that it was Edward de Jong who
encouraged his young compatriot, Albert
Fransella, to move to England to play in an
orchestra de Jong was conducting at the spa in
Buxton, Derbyshire.
Auld Robin Gray. Edward de Jong,
flute; pianist unknown. Recorded
May 1907.
Photograph: Dayton C. Miller Collection,
Library of Congress, Washington.
