Customer testimonials
“…this new product from the manufacturer is revolutionary in its concept and perfect execution: namely, a case that guarantees unsurpassed safety and protection for the instrument during any transport.”
Peter Lukas Graf, flutist, conductor, legend
The stories behind the creation
How our products came about – told by the people who were there.
Jasmine Choi Flutecase: The story of how the dream of a world-class flutist became the smartest flute case in the world after years of development.
Elmar Kalb embodies these two values like no other in his work. He constantly strives not only to meet requirements but to exceed them. Every element is examined and designed to save weight and ensure maximum stability. Elmar Kalb has acquired this knowledge himself over many years, representing unique expertise. Even the small mechanical parts for locks and hinges were specially developed for the case. What began as just an idea has, after countless hours, become a remarkable, one-of-a-kind piece. The SmartCase flute reflects not only the enthusiasm of Jasmin Choi and Byung Jae Kang, but also that of its many proud owners.
Flutist
Jasmine Choi
The South Korean flautist Jasmine Choi is one of the most celebrated flautists of our time. She is known for her virtuosity and refined musicality.
Jasmine Choi had previously used a standard, ordinary instrument case for her flute. This case was quite unwieldy, being both bulky and heavy. It also wasn't custom-fitted to her flute, allowing it to move around during transport. Since Jasmine travels extensively, her dream was to have a perfect, custom-made case for her flute—one that was shorter and lighter than those available on the market. With a suitable flute case, she would be able to forgo carrying an extra bag and take her flute with her practically anywhere—whether in her backpack while traveling, to rehearsals, or in her handbag for concerts. After twelve months of development, Elmar Kalb created a solution that made Jasmine's dream a reality. Countless hours of work, extensive experience, and skilled craftsmanship were required. She had waited her whole life for this.
When Jasmine places her precious flute in the case, she turns a dial that adjusts the holder millimeter by millimeter until it fits the flute perfectly. The points where the delicate instrument rests are lined with soft foam and are by no means randomly chosen, but rather the result of careful observation by the designer. When Jasmine takes the flute out again, the case assists. The ingenious mechanism supports her and provides space precisely where it's needed to lift the flute out.
instrument maker
Byung Jae Kang
Byung Jae Kang comes from a family of artists in Pusan/South Korea and is a renowned maker of woodwind instruments.
Byung Jae Kang came to Austria in 1991 to deepen his musical training as a flautist at the Vienna Conservatory and later in Graz, laying the foundation for his instrument making career. In 1995, he completed an apprenticeship as a woodwind instrument maker with Martin Wenner. He then gained experience in the construction, modification, restoration, and repair of flutes and other woodwind instruments with various specialists in this craft, and in 2003 passed his master craftsman's examination as a woodwind instrument maker at the Ludwigsburg am Neckar Master School.
After he and Elmar Kalb met, it quickly became clear that he wanted to contribute his experience to the product development of the new SmartCase flute. Alongside Jasmine Choi, Bjung Jae Kang is another valuable sparring partner for Elmar Kalb in the search for optimal solutions. The result speaks for itself!