Creating a golden sound

Sharon Bezaly’s unique flute

Flutes are generally made from silver – student instruments are silverplated; advanced players progress to a solid-silver headjoint. Sharon Bezaly plays a bespoke 24-carat gold flute, built for her by Japanese flute-makers Muramatsu. While there is some debate about the impact materials can have on the sound quality – bore dimensions and embouchure cut clearly play a major part – Bezaly was adamant she wanted gold.

‘I find with platinum the sound is either forte or piano,’ she says; ‘I wanted a big, versatile voice.’ The flautist approached the Muramatsu team to commission the instrument and was told that gold would be too heavy for her. ‘I had a toddler at the time. I explained that I was lifting him all day with no problems, so a flute was nothing!’ Nonetheless, the makers were wary of committing to the project. Bezaly was determined to show them. ‘We were living on an island in Sweden so I started to learn how to row to prove that I could manage the flute!’

Finally convinced of their flautist’s strength, the makers agreed to the commission. ‘The gold gives it flexibility and I love the palette of colours,’ says Bezaly. ‘People think the flute can’t be loud but if anything, in chamber music I have to make sure I’m quiet enough. For me, it’s perfect.’