Not long ago Jayhawk got himself a nice new Aulos recorder–soprano, I seem to recall. Shortly after that I got a Mollenhauer Prima soprano, a hybrid with plastic head and wood tube. It’s interesting but somewhat temperamental from a tuning standpoint, so I’m planning on following in Jayhawk’s footsteps. Difference is, I’m planning on getting an alto as well. With the soprano I just want to fool around with simple British Isles dance tunes (like from the Dancing Master and so forth). With the alto I want to play Baroque material. I’ve had some experience in this area, especially with my guitar, but I also own a Yamaha alto.
Here’s my question: does anyone have some recommendations for good compilations of Baroque music for the alto? I can play most everything in Mario Duschenes’ Vol. 2 decently (except the two Brandenburgs 
). I don’t require really difficult pieces; I’m quite happy with suites of dances and so forth. A nice variety is what I’m looking for, some challenging, some just fun.
By the way, the reason I’m going with the Aulos over the Yamaha is simply that, after researching the two, it seems that the Yamaha is intended for consort or ensemble play, to blend in well, whereas the Aulos is intended to replicate late baroque instruments that were used for solo work. I play alone in my living room (unless I can somehow persuade my wife…), so that seemed good. I wanted the easy care of the plastic because I only have limited amounts of time I can devote to this.
I’ve got a book for recorder that I like: “The Baroque Solo Book: the Essential 18th-Century Unaccompanied Repertoire for Alto Recorder,” edited by Bernard THomas. Publisher is Dolce. I believe I got it from Antique Sound Workshop: www.aswltd.com. Some of the pieces are quite tricky but they are some excellent music to work on. Composers include A. Corelli, Torelli, Pepusch, Hotteterre, Telemann (12 Fantasias), Quantz, J.S. Bach (Partita), and CPE Bach. A great collection, actually!
Jeanie
Thanks very much. I’ve seen the list of recommended books/music that ASW has. The problem is that they don’t describe the contents of these recommended materials in much detail. I figured that some people would recommend material off that list, which is fine with me: that way I can get a better idea of the contents before I forked out the money. Another angle is, since music can be a little expensive, I’d rather not get books that tend to duplicate one another if I can help it. Thanks again.
Hoovorff’s recommendation is excellent.
Any and all of the Handel and Telemann sonatas are first rate. The Telemann Canonic Sonatas are wonderfully good-- these are duets in which both parts are identical. The second player comes in after from one to 4 measures after the first, and stops a corresponding number of measures behind the first so they end up at the same time. If you have a tape recorder, you can record the first part and then “play with yourself” so to speak…Not easy music, but very rewarding
Boismoitier wrote a lot of good Alto duets too.
Check out www.courtlymusic.com for their selection of music and call them for recommendations.
Tape recorder? Sounds-s.t.s.-as the morganatic offspring of a tapeworm and a common rec***er (flauta dolce sopranus vulgaris Acme brandis) 
PS: ok, now! I got this Aulos Tenor for sale–y’know, that kind of low C that even a standard lass can play figertipped, and you leave it ungrabbed?
How will I ever pay the 2nd downpayment on my Strathmann flute/recorder/whistle/piccolinosax thing???
Just a plug for Aulos here - I’m still really liking mine. It has a lovely woody tone (to me at least - I’m not expert).
Eric