In
1991,
while clearing out
a condemned house near
Nuremberg, a decorative trapezium
shaped wooden box was discovered, which
contained a transverse flute made by the Nuremberg
woodwind instrument maker Jacob Denner (1681-1735).
The flute, now in a private collection in Frankfurt, had survived
the last two and half centuries, apart from small repairs, almost undamaged.
It is an early, four-piece flute made of dark stained boxwood, equipped with three middle-joints in ca. a=392 Hz, a=400 Hz and a=415 Hz, plus an additional Flûte d'amour middle-joint in approximately a=420 Hz.
Sound and intonation are very well-balanced with the two longest of the regular middle-joints. With the shorter middle-joint the instrument manages to keep the sound character of an early baroque flute with a surprisingly fresh and agile tone. However the intonation of the Flûte d'amour middle-joint is so problematic, that I do not offer this version for my copies.
The almost circular embouchure-hole is, in the blowing direction, very widely undercut and consequently gives the flute an extremely clear and light response. With its clear articulation and its large, round tone, this flute is an ideal instrument for the flute repertoire of Johann Sebastian Bach.
But, just as with J.S.Bach’s music, the Denner flute is not always easy to master, as each tone has its own character and special acoustic colour. But, whoever is prepared to occupy themselves with the idiosyncrasies of this flute, will be generously rewarded with an exceedingly delightful and colourful sound.
For the ornamental rings and the cap, I use a new material which has been specifically developed for my workshop. With its very high density it possesses similar physical qualities to real ivory.
Jacob Denner, Nuremberg, ca.1720
boxwood with silver key
a= 392 / 400 / 415 Hz
Photo: Ulrich Ehret
Fridtjof Aurin Traversos Düsseldorf
J.S. Bach
Musical Offering
Sonata Sopr'il Soggetto Reale
a Traversa, Violino e Continuo, Largo
Schönbrunn Ensemble
Marten Root
Traverso after J.Denner, a=392 Hz
(see there: Video Bach)
