Robert Bigio flute pages
Articles on the flute
Christopher Steward’s early flute recordings
Eli Hudson playing Boehm’s
variations on ‘Du, Du liegst mir im
Herzen’, recorded in 1908. This is
one of Eli Hudson’s rare recordings
made on the flute rather than on
the piccolo.
Eli Hudson was celebrated in
particular as a piccolo soloist. This
astonishing performance of
Bonnisseau’s Scherzo was recorded in
1908. Scroll down this page to see the
music.
Eli Hudson
Eli Hudson (1877–1919) was born Eli Hudson
Rennison but used the surname Hudson for most
of his career. He changed his name officially by
deed poll in 1905. Hudson studied at the Royal
College of Music. He enjoyed great success as an
orchestral flute player but had a parallel career as a
music hall artist, often appearing in a trio with his
singer wife and their daughter, who sang and
played the flute. Hudson is best known today as a
sensational piccolo virtuoso. He made many
recordings on the piccolo as well as a few flute
recordings, one of which is presented here.
Hudson played a Rudall Carte 1867 Patent flute
and piccolo. (An 1867 Patent flute is shown at the
top of this page.)
Photograph of Eli Hudson: Dayton C. Miller
Collection, Library of Congress, Washington.
