The endearing nature of this instrument is the theme for this festival that has comprised five concerts stretched out over a period of two weeks and included three of the world's top international flutists: Philippe Bernold, Petri Alanko and Peter-Lukas Graf.

Graf studied in France at the Conservatoire Nationale de Paris and later in Munich, Germany. He is also the winner of the Munich ARD competition and has proven himself to be a multi-talented musician known not only for his strong flute performance but also conducting abilities, ranging from symphony orchestras to opera.

The German virtuoso has also distinguished himself for a recording career that includes solo recordings of work by Bach as well as performances of Mozart and Vivaldi with symphony orchestras. Graf has toured extensively and has many television and radio-recordings as well as being a regular performer at international music festivals.

Graf is also a professor at the Basle Music Academy since 1973 and has been given a lifetime achievement awards from the USA National Flute Association.

During his concert this weekend, he will perform “The Sonatine in D major” by Schubert, Variations on a theme by Rossini from La Cenerentola” by Chopin, and, “Fantasie, op. 79” by Faure, among others.

For further information on Peter-Lukas Graf Flute Recital scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 (Sat.), please contact directly with the National Concert Hall in Taipei at (02) 2393-9888, or log on to http://www.artsticket.com.tw/.

In addition to his performance at the National Concert Hall, Peter- Lukas Graf will be hosting a seminar on Mozart's compositions for the flute, hoping to gather all the amateurs of the heavenly-sounded woodwind instrument.

For more information on the event, please contact the New Aspect Cultural and Educational Foundation at (02) 2577-2568 or log on to http://www.newaspect.org.tw/.

The 2nd International Flute Festival is a rare tribute to this instrument that has thousands of years of history, though now is codified under standards set in 19th-century with 25 working keys producing a lovely song that has enchanted audiences around the world.

The earliest known flutes date back 40,000 years ago, with many different cultures having their variants such as those made from bamboo and the modern, western concert flute which is played in concert halls around the world.