Crafted in the mid-nineteenth century, this exquisite boxwood fife by Joseph WALLIS (1825-1883) is a testament to the craftsmanship of the era. Joseph Wallis started his instrument-making business and shop in 1848. It expanded and prospered over eighty years and three generations until it came to an abrupt end in 1928.We...
This clarinet in C was made at the STENGEL workshop in Bayreuth, Germany. We think it was made around 1850-1860 by Johann Simon STENGEL (1803-1885). It features 12 brass keys mounted on nicely selected boxwood. The rings are also made of brass. All parts feature the maker’s stamp. This instrument is...
Alfred Kurt BERNDT, a master flutemaker based in Berlin, remains a relatively obscure figure in the world of woodwind instrument making, yet his contributions deserve greater recognition. His legacy was brought to light through an article penned by his son, the late Klaus BERNDT, 16.09.1936 – 03.07.2025. In 2018, Klaus...
It is thought that only around 900 flutes were made by the legendary French master, Claude RIVE (1833-1895). Each Claude Rive flute is considered a masterpiece and players worldwide are drawn to Rive’s flutes since they combine aesthetic beauty with exceptional sound. Owning a Claude Rive flute is a dream...
Who was C.S. Barfoot? C for Charles and S for Smith, makes Charles Smith Barfoot (1778-1843). According to the Langwill Index, he was a music seller – well that’s exactly how he describes himself in his will. However, with a bit more digging, we discover that Charles Smith Barfoot was also...
This extremely rare instrument was made at the famous STENGEL workshop in Bayreuth, Germany by the woodwind master Johann Simon STENGEL (1803-1885) A similar instrument can be found in the Sir Nicholas Shackleton (1937-2006) collection at Edinburgh University. This particular instrument could even be earlier than the one at Edinburgh...
Streitwolf or warring wolf – what a fabulous name! This family name usually signified a bold or fierce character and was at times taken on to establish a heroic identity – a warrior, a fighter! Born into very modest circumstances, the instrument maker Johann Heinrich Gottlieb STREITWOLF didn’t begin life...
Here is a lovely four-part Romantic flute in its original case by the Bavarian master Johann Simon STENGEL (1803-1885). Listen to this flute playing Kaspar KUMMER’s (1795-1870) Etude mélodique op.110 n° 4. The flute exhibits a high level of craftsmanship, featuring beautifully made nickel silver rings. The tenon sockets are also inlaid...
Dresden, Germany was home to many legendary instrument makers. Theodor Karl POPPE was one woodwind specialist. POPPE would become the last name of the owners of a famous Dresden workshop and highly regarded for his oboes, flutes and clarinets. Three famous makers, all born and trained in Adorf, in Vogtland...
Johann Martin Benedikt LEHNER Johann Martin Benedikt LEHNER was born on 11 June 1853. His father Josef and mother Marianna Wilhelmina (née Stobl) were married in Ansbach, Bavaria and had three children – two boys and a girl. Johann Martin Benedikt, or simply Martin Lehner, as he preferred to be known,...
