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 harmony, counterpoint, and fugue. In 1871 Taffanel was appointed first solo flute in the Grand Opera, Paris, and in 1887 became conductor. Ten years later he was appointed conductor at the Conservatoire. In conjunction with Lalo, Armingaud, and Jacquard, he in 1872 founded the Société Classique, a string and wind quintett Society which continued to give concerts in Paris and elsewhere for fifteen years; by their perfect ensemble this Society raised the standard of wind-instrument chamber playing to a pitch never hitherto attained. Under the stress of his arduous duties as musical director at the Paris Exhibition, 1900, his health broke down, and in the following year he resigned his position at the Conservatoire. His execution was rapid and brilliant, his tone extremely soft and velvety, and his playing full of soul, expression, and refinement. He was a member of the Legion of Honour and of many other foreign orders.

Previous to Nicholson, very few English names appear in the list of eminent flautists. Concerning the