Frans Brüggen

Frans Brüggen was a Dutch recorder player, baroque flautist and conductor born in Amsterdam in 1934. He became one of the leading figures in the early-music revival, championing historical performance practice on period instruments. In 1981 he founded the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, which he led for three decades and with which he recorded extensively for Philips and Glossa. Brüggen also served as chief conductor of the Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra and appeared as guest conductor with major symphony orchestras. His extensive discography spans solo recorder repertoire, chamber music and large-scale symphonic works of the 18th century. He died in Amsterdam in 2014.