Alto in F
after P.J. Bressan
at 415 Hz
The original of this alto recorder in F is in the collection of Frans Brüggen, who early on, and with great persistence, sought out and bought up instruments by Baroque wind instrument makers. The drawings for the instrument were made by F. Morgan, one of the first recorder makers of the 20th century to begin studying and copying instruments by 17th- and 18th-century makers.
Pierre Jaillard, known as Bressan, was one of the most gifted makers of the Baroque period. Born in 1663 in Bourg-en-Bresse — hence his byname — he served an apprenticeship there as a turner with a master turner named Jean Bossier. Bressan arrived in London as an oboist, but fairly quickly made his career there as a recorder maker, whose instruments were much sought after by his contemporaries.
This alto in F was originally tuned at 408 Hz and was made of boxwood.
I retuned it from 408 Hz to 415 Hz to obtain an instrument that matches today’s baroque pitch. It has splendid low notes, full and warm. But it is also distinguished by excellent balance and evenness across all registers, right up to the high notes.
I make this instrument in boxwood. It was the wood favoured by makers of the Baroque period, a native wood and very dense. It has the drawback of warping over time, through being played. And it presents the maker with unpredictable knots, grown into the wood.
It is nevertheless a wood that yields absolutely powerful, resonant instruments.
I also use olive for this instrument. Olive gives a very warm and extremely balanced instrument. It has the advantage of containing tannins, which help to prevent mould.
Lastly I make a version in service tree. Service tree gives instruments with a discreet, warm charm. This version is particularly well suited to chamber music or to a recorder consort.
Price on request