Recorders
T. Boekout Soprano Recorder in C
We make our soprano recorder after Thomas Boekout, a Dutch maker active in Amsterdam around 1700. The original we copy is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (No. 89.4.912) and has been reconstructed from a technical drawing.
To accommodate different performance practices, this model is available at three pitches: A=415 (standard baroque), 392 Hz (French low pitch) and 440 Hz (modern pitch for versatility in contemporary settings).
While we have faithfully reproduced the design of the original, we have made one practical modification: the foot joint is now separate, rather than integrated with the body as in the original, improving the adjustment and comfort for the right hand. Like the historical model, it has single holes and is compatible with standard fingering.
P. Bressan Alto Recorder
Pierre Jaillard Bressan, born in France but active in London at the turn of the 18th century, was one of the finest recorder makers of his time. His instruments are closely associated with French and English music of this period.
This model is based on a Bressan recorder from the Bate Collection, Oxford (No. 0112, ex E. Hunt Collection), reconstructed from a technical drawing.
It is available at two pitches: the A=415 Hz (standard baroque) and A=392 Hz (low French pitch).
Additionally, we offer two versions of this recorder:
Original: Single holes, suited to 18th-century fingerings, such as those described by Hotteterre in his Principes (Paris, 1707), providing an opportunity to explore historical technique
Standard: Double holes and usual recorder fingering, allowing for greater ease of playability
J. Denner Alto Recorder
As a recorder by the renowned German maker Jacob Denner (Nuremberg), we have selected an exceptional original made around 1720 and preserved in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum Nürnberg (No. MI139).
We are pleased to offer a highly faithful reproduction, made possible by a 3D model obtained through industrial computed tomography, capturing even the finest details of the original instrument.
This recorder is adapted to A=415 Hz, making it well-suited for playing late baroque music by German composers (such as J. S. Bach, Telemann, and Händel) at standard pitch. It features single holes, yet follows standard fingering, ensuring ease of playability.
P. Bressan Tenor Recorder
In addition to the Bressan Alto Recorder, we also offer a Tenor Recorder by the same renowned maker.
This model is reconstructed from a technical drawing combined with X-ray images of an original instrument preserved in the Museo degli Strumenti Musicali, Castello Sforzesco, Milan (No. 0316), which plays at about A=415 Hz.
It is available in two versions:
Original: Single holes, requiring Hotteterre fingering, with a C-key
Standard: Double holes for modern fingering and keyless
P. Bressan Voice Flute
Our Bressan Voice Flute is based on one of the two original Bressan voice flutes from the Frans Brüggen Collection, Amsterdam, made around 1700. The instrument has been reconstructed using technical drawings and then scaled to A=415 Hz.
Like our Bressan Alto and Tenor Recorders, it is available in two versions:
Original: Single holes, requiring Hotteterre fingering, with additional special fingerings for top notes
Standard: Double holes for modern fingering, offering greater ease of playability.
