I have briefly mentioned the 17th century blind Carrillioner and Recorder virtuoso Jacob van Eyck before-for those of you interested enough to read more about this Rennaisence Low country ‘Charlie Parker’,here’s a link: http://www.jacobvaneyck.info/main.htm
I bought a copy of his ‘Der Fluyten Lust Hof’ (the beginners collection)last week,and am enjoying working my way through it.
Solo soprano Recorder music-try it-it will give you a new perspective on whistle playing(it includes drinking songs!!).
Also,Today,I received my Zen-on Soprano and Alto Recorders from the ‘Early Music Shop’ of Bradford,England.
Although made of Plastic,they have an AMAZING Rosewood finish,which is probably indistinguishable from the real wood at ten paces!
I can’t wait to put them through their paces tomorrow!
It’s Lee Collins (do a Google) who revoices the zen-ons with a cedar block.
I’m also VERY tempted to get a Dreamflute (a Blue one!).
Phil Bleazey also does some very interesting Medieval and Ren. Recorders,also a modern ‘session’ recorder.
I must add that the ‘Early music shop’ are ultra fast-I only posted my order last friday,and my cheque wasn’t even showing as cashed first thing today-recorders arrived this morning!
Be careful about the “Dream flute” I had one and it was very sharp in the second octave, and needed pulling a long way out to get into concert.
I was very disappointed as the tone is great and the plain wood one looks fantastic. It also had problems playing High A and B some times.
I think that Mollenhauer did not design the instrument and one from the original maker would probably be a better bet, but they’re not cheap. http://www.adrianabreukink.com/html/home.html
As with all instruments “caveat emptor” is the rule.
During the 1970s a series of re-prints of 17th and 18th (recorder)music was published.
de Fluyten Lusthof was the first and oldest . if you enjoy that, you will enjoy the others. I have another collection from the early 1700s here ‘Hollandse Boerenlieties and Contredancen’ this edition was published in 1972, it’s a huge collection of little tunes suitable for the fiddle, recorder etc. I used to play tunes out of it on the Hurdy Gurdy, busking in the low countries during my late teens/early twenties ( :roll: feeling old now I can tell you). If you can get hold of it, even through a library (I assumethe book is now long out of print) it’s worth the effort. ISBN 90-6027-153-x
Thanks Peter.
You know,you’re a man with a bit of ‘history’ aren’t You (I don’t mean in any derogratory way)?
I mean,over these last few months,you not only turn out to be a Dutch I.T.M. fanatic with a deep love and knowledge of the music, now esconced in Ireland,and a great Piper and whistle player to boot,but you also busked on HURDY GURDY(!),and have a knowledge of Radical 1970’s Rock (Robert Wyatt,Henry Cow).
Whatever next??
Oh,by the way,I am very pleased with the Zen-on Recorders-I had a very enjoyable hour and a half playing them-mainly the Soprano-this afternoon.
Biniou and Banjo?- Your musical past gets even more interesting!
Also noticed the Chick with the Bodhran and Boots!
My opinion is that it’s ALL music,and no matter what direction you subsequently head off in,any previous musical experience is useful in the long term-Classical,Jazz,Folk,Rock,‘World’,you name it.
Oh,by the way-apologies to John S. for not replying sooner to his very useful input about Mollenhauer ‘Dream’ Recorders.
I have read that they can vary quite a bit in sound (‘chiff’ seems to be quite variable)and as you say, upper note tuning can an issue.
‘The Earlymusic Shop’ guarantee all intruments to be acceptably in tune,and for a deposit,they are prepared to send out several models of the same instrument (or different models) for comparison purposes,to help the Buyer decide.
Of course,I’d love a hand made ‘Dream’ direct from Adriana,but as they cost approx. Ten times more than the mass produced version,I’m afraid it will remain a ‘Dream’!
