PHILIPPE BOLTON

HANDMADE RECORDERS & FLAGEOLETS

THE BAROQUE RECORDER

These two drawings show recorders made in 3 parts. The design of the recorder changed considerably at the turn of the 18th century to improve its virtuosity. This type of construction makes it easier to make the complex conical bore structure which gives the instrument easier fingerings and a wider range.

The illustration on the left, by Bismantova (1677) is Italian, and is the first known representation of this new type of recorder. However it applies to an alto recorder in g, indicating that this instrument was still predominant in Italy at the time.

The right hand drawing is by Jacques Hotteterre-le-romain and dates from 1707. It shows an alto recorder in f which became the principal solo recorder of the baroque period.

Click on each picture to see the corresponding fingering chart