"B♭ flute (`tenor'), nominal pitch: A♭"

B♭ flute (`tenor'), nominal pitch: A♭ | J Wood | Circa 1799-1832

An alto flute in either A or A-flat (a B or B-flat flute) was popular in the 18th century, and was known as the `flûte d'amour' (that in A-flat sometimes being referred to as the flûte pastourelle). The use of flutes at these pitches continued well into the 19th century, particularly for solos and in flute quartets, the B-flat flute in A-flat being known in England as the `tenor flute'.

Transverse flute

Instrument Data

Instrument Information

Title

B♭ flute (`tenor'), nominal pitch: A♭

Accession Number

1600

Collection

MIMEd

Date Information

Date Made

Circa 1799-1832

Period

18th century; 19th century; 1790s; 1800s; 1810s; 1820s; 1830s

Gallery Information

Gallery

Wolfson Gallery

Case

Woodwind case 1

Maker Information

Maker Name

J Wood

Made In

City

London

Country

England

Description

Other Information

General usage of type: An alto instrument in either A or A♭ (a B or B♭ flute) was popular in the 18th century, and was known as the flûte d'amour (that in A♭ was sometimes known as the `flute pastourelle')(Addington 1984, p.36, p.40 and p.47 n.3). The use of a flute at this pitch continued well into the 19th century as a chamber instrument, particularly for solos and in flute quartets, the B♭ flute in A♭ being known in Britain as a `tenor flute' (Baines 1967, p.304). Low B♭ flutes in A♭ were still used in flute bands as a `bass' instrument in the late 20th century (Bate 1975, pp.14-15) cf. B♭ flutes in A♭ (2017) and (5447) in this Collection.

Technical Description

This 5-keyed boxwood flute is in four sections, with brass keys and ivory ferrules and cap. The instrument is stamped with a fleur-de-lis and “J-WOOD / LONDON / Bb”. It is slightly warped but still plays with a full rich sound, especially in the lower register. The C key seems to be a later addition. The overall size is 755mm. Technical description: Boxwood; 4 sections; brass keys; 4 ivory ferrules plus ivory cap; graduated screw-stopper; slightly oval embouchure-hole; small finger-holes; F key-hole on far side. L0: B♭. L1: T. L2: T. L3: T. L4: G♯. R1: T; C. R2: T. R3: T; F. R4: D♯. Keymount type: ring/knob. Keyhead type: flat square. Performance characteristics: Range D⁴ - C⁷ (sounding B♭³ - A♭⁶). Full rich sound, especially in lower register. Usable pitch: Sounding A⁴ = c 438 Hz - c 443 Hz. Repair History: C key appears to have been added: its mounts have been added, rather than carved from body as those for other keys are.

Provenance

on loan to the Collection.; This instrument has been lent by Maurice Checker, formerly (1976-1997) second oboist in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. After studying at the Royal College of Music in London and studies in Paris, Maurice Checker joined the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 1955 before moving to Scotland.

Classification