In the late 17th&bnsp;century, the transverse flute was transformed from a one-piece, keyless, cylindrical-bore instrument into one with a conical bore, one key and in three sections. In the early 18th&bnsp;century, the body section of the instrument was further divided to become the baroque flute.

• Pictures
• Talk by the player
• The sound of the flute
• History
• Technical details
• References

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Pictures

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Talk by the player

• about playing this flute

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The sound of the flute

• J.B. de Boismortier (1691-1755), `Air': movement 4, Quatrième Suite in D major, Op. 35 No. 4, from Six Suites de Pièces pour une flûte traversière, avec la Basse, Op. 35

• J.B. de Boismortier (1691-1755), `Musette': movement 5, Quatrième Suite in D major, Op. 35 No. 4, from Six Suites de Pièces pour une flûte traversière, avec la Basse, Op. 35

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History

• Maker: Villars.
• Place: Paris.
• Date of making: ante 1741 - a 1776.

(Rendall Collection).

EUCHMI Acquisition number: (15)

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Technical details

• English name: Flute.
• Nominal pitch: C.
• Type: 1 key.
• Overall size: 605. >LI>Bore: conical.

Technical description: Boxwood; 4 sections; brass key; 4 ivory ferrules plus cap; circular embouchure-hole.

• Keyhead type: flat square, notched and chamfered.
• Keymount type: ring; SATK.

Inscriptions: Stamped with small fleur-de-lis and "VILLARS". On upper body also stamped "3" indicating that this is one of several corps-de-rechange (of which only this one is in this Collection).

Faults: Slight cracks in sockets and ferrules; top tenon damaged.

Repair history: Key is probably a replacement; upper body has been shortened at both ends and is now at least 7mm shorter than it originally was; embouchure hole probably enlarged.

Usable pitch: A₄ = c 439 Hz (c 439 Hz).

Performance characteristics: Range: D₄ - A₆. Plays well throughout range with a warm sound.

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References to this instrument in publications

GALPIN SOCIETY, 1968. European Musical Instruments. Exhibition; Edinburgh, August-September 1968, catalogue, No. 47

POWELL, A. and LASOCKI, D., 1995. Bach and the Flute: the Players, the Instruments, the Music. Early Music, XXIII (1), pp.23, 29

TROMLITZ, J.G., 1800. The Keyed Flute, translated and edited by A. Powell. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996, p.194.

Workshop drawing by J.-F. Beaudin published by the Collection 1987.

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All material on this website is copyright.
© Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, 1999-2003, 2008.

This page updated: 29.10.08