Les Bonneville – Paris
This short story centres on a young man from the small village of Bessancourt in France. He would establish his own workshop in Paris, specialising in the art of making exquisite handmade flutes, ultimately becoming one of the most renowned flute-makers in French history. The business would endure across three…
Baroque salterio
Here is a trapezoidal-shaped salterio with two sound holes. This type of salterio was played in countries like Italy and Spain by the upper-class aristocracy. It could be played using the battuto technique which used hammers or sticks or using the pizzicato or plucked technique.Proudly presented inside the salterio is…
Flute – Clementi & Co.
This flute was made by Clementi & Co. The company was set up by the Italian-born composer, pianist, conductor and teacher Muzio CLEMENTI (1752-1832).Born in Rome, the young composer and pianist Clementi was sponsored and brought to London by the wealthy, British writer and politician, Sir Peter Beckford. Beckford had…
Keyed French flageolet – GODFROY
This keyed French flageolet was made by Frédéric Eléanor GODFROY. He was born in 1805 in Paris and was the eldest son of Clair Godfroy (1774-1841). He was a woodwind instrument maker from 1827 to 1844. The GODFROY family was active in the 18th and 19th centuries. They were initially…
Silver Boehm flute – RITTERSHAUSEN, Emil
This silver Boehm flute was made by the renowned Berlin-based maker Emil RITTERSHAUSEN. Carl Emil Cäsar RITTERSHAUSEN (1852-1927) worked for Boehm & Mendler before setting up his own workshop in his native Berlin. His Boehm flutes and piccolos were much in demand by professional flutists worldwide. His partnership with the…
Flûte perfectionnée – NONON, Jacques
This Nonon “flûte perfectionnée” is a beauty, isn’t it? It was elaborated in deep-brown cocuswood with utmost care and precision. The silver keywork is so eye-catchingly refined, featuring delicately shaped touch-pieces throughout. It is proudly stamped with its maker’s mark on every part. Jacques NONON (1802-1877) was born into a family…
Silver-plated ‘Silberton’ soprano recorder
If you’re never seen a ‘Silberton’ or ‘Silverton’ all-metal soprano recorder before, then now’s your chance. Here is a fine example of this instrument. It was designed and developed by the Hungarian Gyula FOKY-GRUBER (1927-2014). He left his homeland for Vienna following the Hungarian Uprising in 1956, where he studied…
Contrabass clarinet – PROF. ROMEO ORSI
Here we have a stunning contrabass clarinet made by the firm Prof. Romeo Orsi. Born in Como, Italy, Romeo ORSI (1843-1918), was a prestigious clarinettist at the Milan La Scala opera house and clarinet teacher at the Royal Conservatory of Milan. He started a business partnership with the woodwind instrument…
