Ernesto Kohler

Flautist and composer (December 4, 1849 – March 17, 1907). Köhler who was born in Modena, was taught the flute by his father, Venceslau Joseph Köhler, who was the first flute of the Duke of Modena's orchestra. In 1869, after beginning his career as a flautist, he moved to Vienna and then on to Saint Petersburg in 1871. He remained in Saint Petersburg for the rest of life as a member of the orchestra of the Imperial Opera. He was also a soloist and composer, taught at the Prinz Oldenburg Institute, and led the orchestra of the Imperial Institute of Engineering. He composed over 100 works for the flute: études, duets, and solos. Köhler also produced an opera and several ballets. He is well known among flute players for "Flöten-Schule", his popular method for learning the flute, which he developed circa 1880. He is famous for Progress in Flute Playing (his Opus 33, published in the 1880s). This was a series of three instructional books for the flute player, starting with "Easy" and going on to "Advanced". Ernesto Köhler died in Saint Petersburg on March 17, 1907.