Flute, nominal pitch: C
2
InstrumentTransverse flute |
Instrument FamilyWind |
MakerS Koch |
Place MadeCentral Europe; Europe; Vienna; Austria |
Date MadeCirca 1813 - p 1866 |
DescriptionThis conical bore blackwood flute, pitched in C but descending to low G (also the lowest note of the violin), should not be confused with an alto flute which is pitched in G and is a transposing instrument, sounding low G when reading and fingering low C (C4). It is in five sections with decorated silver keys, silver ferrules and a metal-lined head. The embouchure-hole is oval and encircled in ivory. Although the lower body is made from one piece of wood, it is double-bored for about two thirds of its length with a removable butt joining the bores as on a bassoon. The overall size is 707mm and the sounding length (embouchure to foot, including the U bend extension – see below) is 808mm. Originally an elegant instrument, it has been heavily tampered with (crudely enlarged finger holes and a large gouged-out area to accommodate the left thumb being only the most obvious examples). It is stamped “S KOCH / WIEN” on the upper body and engraved “Charles / Garnett / Esq” (presumably the original or an early owner) in an elegant script on silver plate on the tuning-slide section. This instrument remains playable but with a restricted compass and uneven intonation and tone quality. Technical description: Blackwood; 5 sections; decorated silver keys; 5 silver ferrules; metal-lined head; graduated tuning-slide; graduated screw-stopper; ivory-bushed oval embouchure-hole; lower body made from one piece of wood, double-bored for approximately two-thirds of its length, with a removable butt joining the bores; very small bore diameter at foot end; pronounced cusp-shaped tuning-slide section; D♯ and low C keys have been roughened, probably for guidance to R4 when choosing between 4 keys. L0: @I{B♭; low B overlapping low C♯. L1: T. L2: T. L3: T. L4: G♯; long F; low G overlapping low G♯. R0: Support (see repair history below). R1: T; C; dup B♭; E trill. R2: T. R3: T; cross F. R4: D♯; low A overlapping low B♭ overlapping low C. Keymount type: knob, with metal-lined channels. Keyhead type: clamshell saltspoon; from D♯ key downwards, pewter plugs with metal-lined key-holes. Performance characteristics: [Original range G³ - C⁷]. Range in present condition: D⁴ - A⁶, with uneven intonation and tone quality. Usable pitch: A⁴ = c 440 Hz - c 456 Hz. Repair History: Originally an elegant instrument, but has been heavily tampered with: finger-holes have been roughly gouged out, although they are still only of medium size; large recess carved for resting flute on L1 (possibly because of extra weight); something (possibly a thumb-rest) has been removed where R0 rests, and criss-cross carvings made in the wood, plus a crescent-shaped metal piece riveted on (to hold thumb); recess gouged beneath cross F touch, in order to allow pad to rise higher. It appears that there were originally touches for upper B♭ (duplicate) and a high E trill: the B♭ keyhead has an extension as on the duplicate B♭ touch of flute (45) in this Collection (9 keys, also by Koch), and there is a plugged hole in the E trill position, with the knob and saddle for the original shank removed. Unsuccessful attempts have been made to glue crack in tuning-slide section. |
NotesE. Smith, 1987. |
Measurements707. |
ProvenanceCharles Garnett. |
CollectionRendall Collection; MIMEd |
Accession Number0057 |