Love Above Technique

Love Above Technique: Jean-Pierre Rampal’s Vision of the Essence of Music

Contemporary classical music lives within a paradox: there have never been so many performers with such absolute technical command, yet for masters such as Jean-Pierre Rampal, this perfection can conceal a dangerous emptiness.

In a historic interview, the legendary French flutist reflects on what truly defines a great musician and offers a warning to new generations.

The Priority of Feeling

For Rampal, the foundation of any performance does not lie in the agility of the fingers or in the precision of the notes, but rather in the “greatest possible love for music.”

He argues that love is the most important element and the only one capable of establishing a real connection with the listener. When a musician genuinely loves what he or she is performing, the audience is able to feel that passion, making the musical experience complete and satisfying.

The Danger of the “Technical Generation”

In analyzing new talents, Rampal acknowledges that musicians of the new generation possess a technique superior to that of their predecessors. However, this virtuosity carries a risk: the possibility that people may hear only the technique itself.

The flutist laments that the world of international competitions reinforces this tendency, since, very often, the faster and “cleaner” one plays, the more recognition one receives.

Conclusion: Beyond Demonstration

Rampal’s verdict is clear: technique, no matter how brilliant, is not enough. Without the ability to transmit the soul of the composition and the feeling of the performer, music ceases to be art and becomes merely a “demonstration of technique.”

For the master, the true challenge of modernity is to ensure that the music “passes through” the technique, rather than being overshadowed by it.

This article was based on excerpts from the interview “Music is All About Love: An Interview with Jean-Pierre Rampal.” Watch the video below.