I thought this may be of some interest, both for the great playing and for the flute that is being played, an antique Thomas Prowse 8 key flute in cocuswood and silver, with many of Nicholson’s features: very big holes, flattened area on finger holes, ivory embouchure insert, head thinned at the blow hole (which is huge btw), silver lip plate. Also, between every silver ring and the wood there’s a layer of ivory, softer that metal and harder than wood, to prevent cracking. I’ve played it for a couple of minutes, it’s not easy at all to get that great tone.
I figured that after I clicked on the user’s name and it went to a cancelled channel. I just can’t believe that someone would misrepresent themselves like that on the internet.
Or maybe it’s the “other” Paddy Keenan from Teaneck, New Jersey.
So, Breandan O’Hare and accordion player Martin Quinn came here in Italy to play at some celtic festival, and yesterday we had great session that lasted till late at night and I had the opportunity to try the Prowse for a little longer. I finally managed to blow properly in it, and now I believe that that was the best flute I’ve ever played (though, I tried some flutes, like a Rudall, when my embouchure was less developed, or when I couldn’t play them because I was still using piper’s grip and keys were in the way, so I can’t really be that sure).
Great resonance, volume, harmonics and reedy-ness, dark sounding, amazing first AND second octave, I was deeply impressed.
Yes Marin, I’ve seen this one. Looks quite different from Breandan’s, I would consider the buy if I had the money and if I could try it first (it’s quite expensive).
Fine flute playing from Brendan there , but I’m not that impressed by this Prowse, I’m hearing flat notes there in the second octave, and a flat bottom D. The slide looks to pulled out a great deal in order to bring the pitch down. I’d like to hear Brendan play the same tunes on a modern flute, an Olwell, Murray, Hamilton, Wilkes, Grinter etc., or an old flute more in tune with itself with at A=440.
Can anyone hear what Steampacket says? I can’t…
Low D seems brilliant to me, I might hear slightly flat notes on the second octave but for sure it’s not that obvious, to my ears at least.
The video was taken in a cold kitchen of an old building, with high ceiling and no heating other than a small heater (the red light you see in the video), on a morning in november. I remember my fingers were freezing. The tuning slide is not that much open.
I think I’ve read somewere that Breandan worked with Sam Murray some time ago. For sure he has had access to lots of flutes by the greatest makers, but chose to play the Prowse, and I can see the reason, the tone is amazing.
I remember writing somewere about that particular clip of Pasty Hanley, that the A note seemed quite sharp, but added some sort of feel or character to the tune (it was on a thread about tuning on old flutes)…
mmm, memories…
it was 2004, I had that amusing Prowse in my hands, beautifully made, fantastic sound…
I opened the Eflat key to check the pad, and than Brendan was a bit mad at me…
What have you done?? - he said- That key has been untouched for over 10 years!, leave it as it is. .
So I can guess that is possible to play that flute much more in tune if you are willing to do so.
anyway to my hear is just ok.
