Modern voicing is definitely stronger and clearer in all registers than the baroque one, but I kind of prefer the baroque voicing's sound more, it's closer to the standard recorder. I think the modern one can aim to be a good instrument for modern music while the baroque one could be used in baroque orchestras that don't strive to be truly authentic but rather want stronger sound. I'm glad the recorder can be upgraded without losing its character and role.
Same, I love how stronger the modern is but it kinda sounds a bit "flutish" if that makes sense, which is not entirely bad but it seems to lose a little bit of uniqueness
So good to finally have an actual audio sample to compare the modern and baroque voicing with. And great explanation of the differences too, because there’s no actual explanation on their website other than “available in modern or baroque voicing”
It's great that recorders are evolving. I'm sure many will argue that these recorders sound too much like a flute or that working around the weaknesses of a traditional recorder is part of it's charm, but I.m sensing that in the near future instruments like these will be maistream and baroque recorders will be a niche market, just as pre- baroque instruments are now. I, for one, would play one of these if I could justify the cost.
As a woodwind doubler, with a 'primary' instrument of flute, this modern recorder really has the qualities I have always wished to get from any recorder playing I've done! I particularly love the Baroque voiced modern recorder, a lovely middle ground. I wonder if they're considering more affordable models in an ABS plastic or maybe even ebonite? I don't play enough recorder to perhaps justify buying a few of these but to have something this strong to take into pit orchestras would be amazing.
OMG that'd be so cool! But, alas I don't think they make any ABS resin recorders, so the chances seem low. Edit: Scratch that, just found out that they do have some.
Dear Sarah, thank you very much for this excelent video about our modern recorders. The Video was made in our Workshop. Thanks a lot, your Mollenhauer-Team
I love my Mollenhauer Modern Soprano which I have had for several months now, and decided to purchase due to this review! I'm glad I chose the one in pearwood. It has a warmer sound and I understand it won't need oiling. It's not difficult to learn to use the keys. I like that I can play low notes so loudly now, and appreciate having the low B. I can play for long sessions without clogging or hoarseness, and I suspect this is due to the Synpor block. I have several soprano recorders, but the Modern is my favorite by far.
@@cwalden Yes, I now have alto and soprano modern recorders and really like them both. Also, Mollenhauer told me they don't need to be played-in, due to the Synpor block.
Wonderful video---thanks so much! It was fascinating to hear the difference between the recorders. I really loved the modern recorder with the baroque voicing. Your videos are terrific----thanks so much!
Thanks so much for this commentary and review. I have had a "modern" alto for over a year now and simply love it for the additional expressiveness and volume, which makes it a great choice for playing with modern instruments. My big hope is the Mollenhauer might extend this "modern" design to the basset instrument, which would then, I think, gain a bit more strength in the lower range (which can be so very soft in standard baroque instruments) and more expressiveness in the upper range. How about it Mollenhauer?
Absolutely worth it. Tried out the alto modern recorders today. The low notes can be blown *very* strongly. And the dynamic range of these instruments is stunning, considering, there is no such thing as a piano key. And being able to blow the third octave f# pianissimo without the knee... Even though I've played them for only 15 minutes, I dare to recommend them.
Thanks for this! No time pressure (I know you're busy), but please add the Eagle recorders to your "I'm going to review them when I can" list (if they're not there already...).
After all the comparisons I liked the modern reorder with baroque voicing. I think it blends both elements, modern and baroque playing, in a more balance way than the modern voicing. That's my humble opinion.
Mine, too. I suffer from perfect pitch, so those dratted higher order harmonics influence my preferences. Of, course, few musicians balance artistry and technical skill as well as she does.
Sarah, can you do a video on the Eagle Alto recorder by Adriana Breukink and that was played when you were with Michala Petri? That recorder seems to solve the problem of volume and playing with modern instruments! It sounds amazing. My daughter's school music teacher (a jazz trombonist herself) told my daughter that recorder can't be played in their school band because they're not loud enough. Now we can counter her position!
It seems kinda funny to me that with the added keys, they just left a whole finger with absolutely nothing to do. Give the low b key to the left pinky, and the right pinky can take the low c and c# key. Also give it a d# key to get rid of all the double holes. Set it up like the oboe. A g# key for the left pinky would be nice too, as this note sounds a bit stuffy and uncertain.
The Modern recorders seem to stay in pitch better at varying breath pressures too. It makes them more expressive without deviating a lot from centre pitch. And, yes, that F natural isn't as comfortable or fast to play as on a keyless one.
buy a double-keyed modern recorder, than you won't have to worry about nailing the bottom F. Of course, you won't have an E, but you'll also save a few dollars, 'cause the double-keyed instrument is a bit less expensive
Thank you so much! Just like Tim Payne, I've been waiting for better audio samples. I'll save up and purchase a modern recorder now because they definitely seem worth the money.
These modern Mollenhauer recorders are really great instruments. I have already got a soprano with B foot, an alto with E foot and an alto in G, all made from grenadilla and with modern voicing. I like to play these instruments in trios with flute and bassoon or in duos with flute or alto flute. The modern recorders work much better with these combinations than baroque recorders, both regarding the sound, the tuning and about all the volume.
Hello, I got the alto with e foot and found the octaves very wide, with the second octave from a to d quite sharp. I ended up adding wax to the south edge of a few of the finger holes. It helped a little but I couldnt get it ballanced without the 1st octave becoming too flat. Have you known anyone else to have this issue? Anyone else you recommend asking? Thanks! John the Whistle-Blower
Thanks Sarah-the-splendid for a really valuable comparison. I can see how modern would have more strength in its contribution among ensemble. Atonality and fragility of traditional has its charm too. Wonderful new tool for the box! I reckon there'd be less kids giving up learning if they could make their cheapie sound as good.
I would love to hear a comparison between the Mollenhauer modern recorder on the Kung Eagle and even better against the Helder as well. Is that something you would be able to do please?
Thank you for this. It's really great to hear a comparison of these instruments. I would have loved to hear something more in the fasch of the modern recorders, something actually modern.
I'm out and about on Thursday afternoons, so usually just have subtitles. Today translated as 'rock recorder'. Can't wait to hear it when I get home! Incidentally, blew some very high notes on my Paetzold contra yesterday. I'll have to get a tuner out and see what they are - if I ever find them again🤔🎶
Did you get a chance to try out the helder recorders????!!!!! I’m very interested in them but I can’t try them in America. So I was wondering that if you did try them, what were your thoughts???
Fascinating! I'm learning more about the recorder than I ever dreamed of learning with your channel. I found your channel because I want to learn a "medieval" instrument to play during SCA events and it's been ages since I played clarinet in high school, so I thought I would jump into music again by learning recorder. You have so many good videos. I didn't know recorders could be so versatile due to their unfortunate reputation. However, I've fallen in love with the sound of the shawm and I would like to pursue learning that or one of it's variants. There is no Sarah Jeffery of Team Shawm on youtube though. I was wondering if you or anyone else on Team Recorder could point me in the right direction. Engles is mijn geborte taal maar ik kan en beetje nederlands verstanden want ik woon in Belgie (if that makes a difference.) Thank you so much for your great content.
Thanks for your message- ahhh I wish there was a Team Shawm! (that sounds so much more catchy 😂) Try the youtube channel ‘early music in a different way’- I think that must have some shawm on it? And good luck!!
I just bought a Mollenhauer modern alto with F foot (double keys) from Thomann in Germany. (I live in California.) I really like it, especially because the low notes are strong. I tried two of them, rosewood and pearwood, and decided to keep the pearwood alto because it had a more mellow tone, while the rosewood alto had some harsh notes, including F'' (2nd octave). One weakness of the modern alto with F foot is that middle F#'' is about 15 cents flat, but alternate fingerings can be used.
I'm a flautist rather than strictly a recorder player. Interestingly to my ears the most beautiful recorder you played in this video was the keyless traditional alto. It sang with emotions and sweetness that the modern recorders did not have.
That's the same in my opinion when comparing the baroque flute to the modern boehm flute. But obviously being heard in an orchestra is more important and that's why the boehm flute exists.
Great, finally a good comparison video I was looking for, before considering getting a Mollenhauer modern in future. But I haven’t got a clue if Michela Petri used that when she recorded the Corelli with Mahan Esfahani.
This may be a wishy-washy comment, but I liked both the modern recorders with modern voicing and the regular baroque recorders. The modern recorder with modern voicing would be great when playing with, say, a folk band since it is louder and has more of a sound like a pennywhistle or some forms of peasant flute. Might also work well with renaissance music. When I played in a Hungarian folk band I used to use a soprano Hopf silberflöte (a metal recorder with a straight bore) for this reason - loud and clear sound which could cut through the strings's sound. For playing sensitive nuances, particularly with baroque slower pieces/movements, I love the reedy and tentative sound of a traditional baroque recorder. Like otherwise in life, good to pick the right tool for the right job :-)
Thanks for doing this! I haven't read all the comments (so many!), but wondering, have you tested the Eagle modern recorder, and how do they compare. A modern recorder is at the top of my wish list. Unfortunately, traditional recorders can't stand up to modern woodwind and strings in terms of volume, and I don't like defecting to flute when a piece is clearly intended for flute, just to be heard.
dont know if anyone gives a damn but if you are bored like me during the covid times then you can stream pretty much all of the latest movies and series on instaflixxer. Have been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last weeks =)
Thank you for the "live" comparisons. I didn't think I would be able to tell the difference (my musical ear is not that great), but I really hear the difference! To me, the modern/modern was "cleaner" in sound and much more powerful.. The modern/baroque had a clean, powerful sound as well, but was just a bit "fuzzier" in sound than the modern voice, and the traditional baroque was softer and fuzzier than the modern versions. If I could, I would buy the modern/modern, but I can't afford them and they wouldn't fit with my fellow traditional baroque players anyway. :o)
You are teaching me so much! Now I want that modern recorder. Perhaps it will fit in the budget some day. You didn't mention the Synpor block. Is that a new development, or are other manufacturers using it?
Thank you, Sarah, for this interesting video. I'm not entirely convinced by the quality of the high notes of these contemporary alto recorders. They seemed just as shrill as those in the normal recorders. Frankly, having to buy a modern one, I would go for one with closed holes to avoid the problem of leaking entirely. Of course the problem is particularly relevant for the two lowest holes. The modern alto with modern voicing was pleasant, it sounded nearly "electronic". Contrary to character, though, the one I preferred was the soprano: those high notes so full and not shrill... I loved it.
I play the quena, which is the flute of the Andean area. A well-tuned quena covers three octaves going from G1 to G4 and both its low notes and high notes are powerful. Although I played the baroque alto recorder, it always bothered me that its low notes have very little volume and that there are only two octaves. Personally, I never liked that old balcony bar design of Baroque recorders, and I found the design of Renaissance recorders more pleasing. Now I see that modern recorders aim to look for interesting features that remind me of my quena, but unfortunately these have an excessively high price.
Hello Sarah, thank you for your video. I would like to ask you a question please, have you ever tried to play a Japanese Shakuhachi flute? Greetings, Brian,.
@@Team_Recorder Thank you for writing. I will get one next week. I have seen that according to the intensity of the blowing the tunes changes. The Japanese monks use it to carry lost souls from the mountains or battlefields into the temples and offer them to the light. I find really spiritual. Hugs, Brian.
Sarah, while you were there, did you, by chance, play an Elody? It's really "just" a modern voiced Modern Alto in an odd shape and, of course, the pickup in the head. I play Moderns as part of my little ensemble at church. I agree with the bit about the keywork - for me the bottom F on the Alto is the hardest to get consistently - more so than the E. For some reason I generally have less of an issue with the keys on the soprano. Thanks for the comparisons. It's easier to hear the difference in the voicing from a distance than when the instrument is one's own hands (or at least it was for me when I had that opportunity). Thanks again.
I thought I liked the modern voicing best, until you played the baroque voicing. They are both rather nice in their own way and if I had the money, I don't know which I would choose. Don't suppose they do a BOGOF... 🤔
I take a recorder band at my school, SATB. What would you suggest is an appropriate number breakdown of parts with a group of 40 players for the best overall blend of sound. Many thanks!
Good and tricky question! Ideally you want more on the lower parts and less on the top, so like 8S/10A/10T/12B. But I know a lot more people play the higher instruments than low! Sooo... as many as you can on tenor and bass. Then maybe make 2 dofferent soprano parts and 2 different alto parts so it’s not so much unison playing? Good luck!
You show that these will play lower notes that don't need the knee, but what happens if you were to use your knee? Do they go lower still? I haven't mastered that technique, but i do like the idea of the bigger range.
I think I like the baroque voicing of the modern recorder best, though not by a lot. And I like both the moderns better than the standard baroque, mostly because of their strength and stability in the low notes. I also love the idea of being able to get the high F# without using my knee, and being able to use the 3rd octave. Though the last two would be more useful after I improve my playing skills somewhat... which is in-progress. I'm working on it. The mollenhauer modern baroque voicing might just be my dream recorder.
there are actually some good Chilean recorder players that live in Chile who own these recorders, there is even a Chilean recorder maker, Jorge Montero, his instruments have a beautiful sound, you should ask them :)
Yes.... also low b has such a different timbre it would benefit from a closed key too. I wonder if adding a bell key to the alto with low e would open up some very interesting possibilities for alternate fingerings. Also, pressing the bell key partially would probably give a nice low Eb.
The modern recorder would be like the combination between Querflöte and Blockflöte, when they add the kind of E-Fuß in order to reach the lower key, and also stay in tune when people over-blow. it. The same blase principle and bottom key Technik for Querflöte.
I think the comparison is not very fair, since all three variants of recorders are made from different wood (the barock Alto looks like rosewood or olive wood hard to tell in the bad light). And we all now the wood itself has a huge impact to the sound. But in general I love the modern recorders by Mollenhauer and for me as a Boem flutist the thing with the right pinkie is not a problem. its the same mechanic on every Boem flute. Greetings from Frankfurt
It's so beautiful to see that after all this century the recorder is still evolving! I have a question: if you close the hole with the knee on a modern recorder you obtain a b/e flat?
interesting developments indeed, which I will try out. However, I am not inclined to dismiss regular recorders yet, as over the years I have been playing many solos against complete modern wind bands and could be heard perfectly without an amplifier. Well made and well voiced recorders might be soft when heared close-by, but the sound really opens up and blossoms at a distance. On one occasion I had to play a somewhat lower part and experimented with tenor recorders in their higher ranges, without a satisfying result. I ended up playing one of my regular baroque alto recorders in the middle range, tuned to... 415, so I had to transpose my part up by a semitone with many muffled sharps. Muffled, or so it seemed, because from the audience's side this solution produced by far the best result, probably because these very sounds were the richest in harmonics. Plain volume is not always the creed, although it can be useful... Cheerio, Willem
hilderbrandoastofons (can I call you fons?) - not heard of those - are they similar to the instrument Sarah's husband sometimes plays: in other words, an electronic instrument that looks like a little saxophone but can sound like loads of different instruments?
Nope. They are reed instruments that are supposed to sound similar to soprano sax but with fingering like a recorder. Bought one, very disappointing. It is difficult to play, it has some very weak notes. I found easier to start playing a second-hand clarinet, that I bought for a similar price as the venova. My 0.02 €
@@ivanrossi2051 - I know the sort of thing - I bought a similar instrument but the mouthpiece is awful and not changeable - it takes a tenor sax reed and the mouthpiece is huge. I have however, thought about buying a Sans Luthier Clariphone which has a changeable mouthpiece and sounds interesting. I bought a secondhand plastic clarinet - a clarineo I think it's called - designed by a jazz player (name forgotten - sorry). It's supposed to be easy to learn for kids that are too small for a real clarinet, or older folks with hand/finger issues. I struggle with it as I have with my soprano sax - both still big instruments for me and the small reed/mouthpiece, and the tight embouchure required, cause a lot of facial pain for me (I have chronic myofascial pain syndrome/Fibromyalgia). Have you tried any other small reed instruments like perhaps a Chalumeau?
Sarah may have reviewed them herself by now, but my quick impression was the tone was interesting, but the notes are not in tune with themselves, even to a greater degree than a saxophone.
The first topic you mentioned in this video was the harmonic recorder. Is the Mollenhauer Modern recorder the only recorder on the market that is considered a harmonic recorder, or are there other makers/models that are harmonic as well? I'm looking into an Eagle Alto and was curious if this was the case or not.
Very nice video, i would like to point out that they have a version in G, which is FANTASTIC, i do have one and like so very much, which can work perfectly for some Vivaldi concertos intended to be for a G alto recorder like the RV 92... if played in 440 with modern instrument
Thank you for the great comparison! Would there be any reason for a beginner not to buy a modern recorder? I'm currently using a Mollenhauer Denner Alto but would love the extra power in the lower notes. I've played saxophone for almost 30 years so the recorder fingering has felt very natural but I still have to get used to the weakness in the low notes and how much air the high notes need to sound clearly each time I pick up the instrument.
Hi Brad! I'm also a saxophonist who recently began playing soprano recorders. I have the Modern soprano, and there is no reason a beginner on recorder could not play a Modern recorder (other than the expense).
@@robertnoblitt518 Thank you for the reply. I ended up buying a Mollenhauer Modern Alto which I really enjoy. Beautiful instrument with rich overtones. I didn't buy the one with the extra key as I wanted the fingering to be the same as my other recorders but I'm very happy with it. Now the trick is finding time to play it consistently. 🙂
I mean it would be nice if it becomes more widely used, but I think I would want both modern and baroque to coexist, because for example with Renaissance recorders, though they do exist they are harder to get and very niche.
I could see how one could squeeze into a more “modern” orchestra better with a modern recorder. Well they all sound really good. Different tools for different jobs. And That’s really exciting.
Hello Sarah, nice video! A question..is better ebony alto with f - foot or palisander alto with e - foot? (Both with modern voicing)..so...btween these two, which one would you buy? Thank you!
What would be the best Alto recorder at great price, most likely plastic since wooden recorders are often very expensive...thank you very much! I really enjoy your RUclips channel...
I have been considering the Alto in G for some time now as I have mobility and pain issues that make stretching for a normal alto difficult, especially when my hands are painful. However, I am put off by the need to use the key for the lowest note and trills (I suppose the G Alto would only have 2 keys which makes life easier). Also, if they require a bigger overall stretch then the G might not be much better anyway. I might be better off buying a normal Baroque in G or even a fourth flute in baroque pitch which takes me down to A (I don't play with other people so no probs on tuning etc.)
Now this sucks. There are recorder makers, though, that make custom recorders for people with impairments, for those who are missing fingers or have only one functioning hand, for example. I'm sure people like Geri Bollinger or Stefan Blezinger are able to make an instrument for you -- but it's also a budget question. Also, keep in mind that grenadilla is heavy as hell -- a heavy recorder might put too much strain on your hands, joints, or whatever is bothering you. The Mollenhauer Modern in G is available in grenadilla and pear wood -- pear is not as heavy, but it is not a long-lasting wood, and I wouldn't pay 1000+ for a pear wood recorder. The Kynseker Altos in G are more reasonably priced -- available in maple or plum wood, they have no hardware at all -- but they are Renaissance-type recorders.
@@DellaStreet123 thanks - I have considered the Kynsekers as they do a G alto which sounds beautiful and is available in plum or maple I think for around 5- 600 pounds from Windbrass. The Mollenhauer Modern in G is on sale for less than £700 currently if you don't mind pearwood. This seems an amazingly low price. I have also considered the Dolmetsch handmade recorders still available from Aafab but it looks like they only do a G alto in 415 pitch now. I keep looking for second hand 3rd and 4th flutes - i.e. alto in A, soprano in Bb but they rarely come up for sale. How do you manage with using a one handed recorder- I know Dolmetsch used to make them - I really admire your tenacity?
@@honeychurchgipsy6 Sarah has a video about playing one-handed recorders. ruclips.net/video/xlXjr0oOrXs/видео.html -- As far as unusual pitches are concerned: There might still be some Harlan-type recorders around. They were built in a variety of pitches, similar to tin whistles. The first recorder was an alto in E. Hindemith was a fan of the original German recorders and wrote his piece for three recorders (Eutiner Musiktage) for recorders in A, A and low D. Today, it is usually played transposed, if at all. As to be expected, early 20th century German recorders use German fingering. The good part is that Harlan-type recorders are still available on the German site of eBay. Some sellers require high prices (considered their recorders are as old as the hills), especially when interest in the Herwiga model (named after recorder maker Herwig) grew during the past years. Sometimes, recorders in uncommon pitches are on sale as well, sometimes as part of a bundle of old recorders. The bad news is that you don't know what you are buying, i.e. whether the recorder is still playable.
Sarah may pop in but.....I have a Modern Alto with the F foot. The arrangement is exactly like a keyed tenor. Having two rollers and the paddle (E foot Alto, B foot Soprano) makes getting the one in the middle a bit challenging. I find the soprano easier, but it might be because in my case the larger radius curvature of the top of the Elody also makes me loose the feel for the second and third right-hand holes, which complicates it for me-I find myself leaking one or the other of those holes going for the middle roller on the foot. More practice I need....
The modern has power clarity and stability but the baroque voicing has a sweetness (sweet flute) not as present in the modern. That sweetness moves me even in these brief excerpts. But no so much with the modern.
Modern voicing is definitely stronger and clearer in all registers than the baroque one, but I kind of prefer the baroque voicing's sound more, it's closer to the standard recorder. I think the modern one can aim to be a good instrument for modern music while the baroque one could be used in baroque orchestras that don't strive to be truly authentic but rather want stronger sound. I'm glad the recorder can be upgraded without losing its character and role.
There’s just something about that baroque one that’s just a bit more brittle, but charming.
The old voicings would get lost with other modern interments.
Same, I love how stronger the modern is but it kinda sounds a bit "flutish" if that makes sense, which is not entirely bad but it seems to lose a little bit of uniqueness
I have difficulty imagining a baroque orchestra that doesn't strive for authenticity.
So good to finally have an actual audio sample to compare the modern and baroque voicing with. And great explanation of the differences too, because there’s no actual explanation on their website other than “available in modern or baroque voicing”
You’re welcome! 😊
Oh how I wish there was an affordable plastic version of these!
Love that modern recorder! Wow, what a beautiful tone.
It's great that recorders are evolving. I'm sure many will argue that these recorders sound too much like a flute or that working around the weaknesses of a traditional recorder is part of it's charm, but I.m sensing that in the near future instruments like these will be maistream and baroque recorders will be a niche market, just as pre- baroque instruments are now. I, for one, would play one of these if I could justify the cost.
As a woodwind doubler, with a 'primary' instrument of flute, this modern recorder really has the qualities I have always wished to get from any recorder playing I've done! I particularly love the Baroque voiced modern recorder, a lovely middle ground. I wonder if they're considering more affordable models in an ABS plastic or maybe even ebonite? I don't play enough recorder to perhaps justify buying a few of these but to have something this strong to take into pit orchestras would be amazing.
A Baroque-voiced Modern Tenor in ebonite would have me scrambling to come up with cash....
Yeah, the 1.198,00 € price tag is a bit 😮 for a soprano. It sounds so in tune! Lovely!
OMG that'd be so cool! But, alas I don't think they make any ABS resin recorders, so the chances seem low.
Edit: Scratch that, just found out that they do have some.
Dear Sarah, thank you very much for this excelent video about our modern recorders. The Video was made in our Workshop. Thanks a lot, your Mollenhauer-Team
You’re welcome, thanks so much for having me there! 👏🏼
Are you working on a modern tenor, or is it impossible to implement the harmonic recorder concept to the tenor without substantially more keys?
I love the sound of the keyed baroque alto.
3:53 Modern alto recorder, modern voicing, Van Eyck
4:11 Modern alto recorder, baroque voicing, Van Eyck
4:29 Regular baroque alto recorder, Van Eyck
4:48 Modern alto recorder, modern voicing, Bach
5:11 Modern alto recorder, baroque voicing, Bach
5:32 Regular baroque alto recorder, Bach
5:58 Modern alto recorder, modern voicing, Low notes
6:03 Modern alto recorder, baroque voicing, Low notes
6:10 Regular baroque alto recorder, Low notes
6:17 Modern alto recorder, modern voicing, middle register
6:24 Modern alto recorder, baroque voicing, middle register
6:29 Regular baroque alto recorder, middle register
6:35 Modern alto recorder, modern voicing, high notes
6:40 Modern alto recorder, baroque voicing, high notes
6:46 Regular baroque alto recorder, high notes
7:29 Modern Soprano
8:04 Baroque Soprano, Mollenhauser
Oh wow, they sound amazing. Now, to start saving.
Tanto tiempo esperando una review de esta flauta !! Y al fin , gracias Sarah!
I love my Mollenhauer Modern Soprano which I have had for several months now, and decided to purchase due to this review! I'm glad I chose the one in pearwood. It has a warmer sound and I understand it won't need oiling. It's not difficult to learn to use the keys. I like that I can play low notes so loudly now, and appreciate having the low B. I can play for long sessions without clogging or hoarseness, and I suspect this is due to the Synpor block. I have several soprano recorders, but the Modern is my favorite by far.
I’m considering this model mainly for the synpor block. Are you still finding that the Modern clogs less frequently than other wooden recorders?
@@cwalden Yes, I now have alto and soprano modern recorders and really like them both. Also, Mollenhauer told me they don't need to be played-in, due to the Synpor block.
@@robertnoblitt518 Nice! Thanks for the information.
Wonderful video---thanks so much! It was fascinating to hear the difference between the recorders. I really loved the modern recorder with the baroque voicing. Your videos are terrific----thanks so much!
Wow, amazing video! I'm in love for those recorders...
They sound like flutes with a very focused tone (in the lower register). VERY interesting!
Thanks so much for this commentary and review. I have had a "modern" alto for over a year now and simply love it for the additional expressiveness and volume, which makes it a great choice for playing with modern instruments. My big hope is the Mollenhauer might extend this "modern" design to the basset instrument, which would then, I think, gain a bit more strength in the lower range (which can be so very soft in standard baroque instruments) and more expressiveness in the upper range. How about it Mollenhauer?
Oohhhh a modern basset - or tenor - yes!
Absolutely worth it. Tried out the alto modern recorders today. The low notes can be blown *very* strongly. And the dynamic range of these instruments is stunning, considering, there is no such thing as a piano key. And being able to blow the third octave f# pianissimo without the knee...
Even though I've played them for only 15 minutes, I dare to recommend them.
Love the strong sound of the low notes.
Thanks for this!
No time pressure (I know you're busy), but please add the Eagle recorders to your "I'm going to review them when I can" list (if they're not there already...).
After all the comparisons I liked the modern reorder with baroque voicing. I think it blends both elements, modern and baroque playing, in a more balance way than the modern voicing. That's my humble opinion.
Mine, too. I suffer from perfect pitch, so those dratted higher order harmonics influence my preferences. Of, course, few musicians balance artistry and technical skill as well as she does.
Yes, modern baroque cleaned up in that shootout.
Sarah, can you do a video on the Eagle Alto recorder by Adriana Breukink and that was played when you were with Michala Petri? That recorder seems to solve the problem of volume and playing with modern instruments! It sounds amazing. My daughter's school music teacher (a jazz trombonist herself) told my daughter that recorder can't be played in their school band because they're not loud enough. Now we can counter her position!
Amazing woman, excellent critique
Very cool! Thank you for sharing. They are wonderful, the baroque has a softer voice. I like both.
nice! i love these, i used to play clarinet for 4 years when i was younger and now i kinda wanna try these out 😊
It seems kinda funny to me that with the added keys, they just left a whole finger with absolutely nothing to do. Give the low b key to the left pinky, and the right pinky can take the low c and c# key. Also give it a d# key to get rid of all the double holes. Set it up like the oboe. A g# key for the left pinky would be nice too, as this note sounds a bit stuffy and uncertain.
Awesome! Now I want one!
The keywork looks a lot like a flute footjoint! Great Video
The Modern recorders seem to stay in pitch better at varying breath pressures too. It makes them more expressive without deviating a lot from centre pitch. And, yes, that F natural isn't as comfortable or fast to play as on a keyless one.
buy a double-keyed modern recorder, than you won't have to worry about nailing the bottom F. Of course, you won't have an E, but you'll also save a few dollars, 'cause the double-keyed instrument is a bit less expensive
@@brnogahr4599 That sounds like a really good idea.
Thank you! That was so interesting!!!
I love modern recorder with modern voicing
Hi Sarah!Can you make a video to compare mollenhauer modern recorder ,helder recorder and egale recorder? I don't know which one to buy.
Thank you so much! Just like Tim Payne, I've been waiting for better audio samples. I'll save up and purchase a modern recorder now because they definitely seem worth the money.
These modern Mollenhauer recorders are really great instruments. I have already got a soprano with B foot, an alto with E foot and an alto in G, all made from grenadilla and with modern voicing. I like to play these instruments in trios with flute and bassoon or in duos with flute or alto flute. The modern recorders work much better with these combinations than baroque recorders, both regarding the sound, the tuning and about all the volume.
Hello, I got the alto with e foot and found the octaves very wide, with the second octave from a to d quite sharp. I ended up adding wax to the south edge of a few of the finger holes. It helped a little but I couldnt get it ballanced without the 1st octave becoming too flat.
Have you known anyone else to have this issue? Anyone else you recommend asking?
Thanks!
John the Whistle-Blower
Thanks Sarah-the-splendid for a really valuable comparison. I can see how modern would have more strength in its contribution among ensemble. Atonality and fragility of traditional has its charm too. Wonderful new tool for the box! I reckon there'd be less kids giving up learning if they could make their cheapie sound as good.
I would love to hear a comparison between the Mollenhauer modern recorder on the Kung Eagle and even better against the Helder as well. Is that something you would be able to do please?
That’s the plan one day!
I want to buy one you see, but cannot decide which and cannot afford both!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the differences between these and the eagle recorder
Thank you for this. It's really great to hear a comparison of these instruments. I would have loved to hear something more in the fasch of the modern recorders, something actually modern.
I'm out and about on Thursday afternoons, so usually just have subtitles. Today translated as 'rock recorder'. Can't wait to hear it when I get home! Incidentally, blew some very high notes on my Paetzold contra yesterday. I'll have to get a tuner out and see what they are - if I ever find them again🤔🎶
Ah! If you click on ‘english’ rather than the auto-generated ones you get my corrected version ;)
Did you get a chance to try out the helder recorders????!!!!! I’m very interested in them but I can’t try them in America. So I was wondering that if you did try them, what were your thoughts???
Thank you so much Sarah, finally desend demo. Modern voicing speaks way more to me! But they are pricy as hell. Thank you aging for your efforts.
Fascinating! I'm learning more about the recorder than I ever dreamed of learning with your channel. I found your channel because I want to learn a "medieval" instrument to play during SCA events and it's been ages since I played clarinet in high school, so I thought I would jump into music again by learning recorder. You have so many good videos. I didn't know recorders could be so versatile due to their unfortunate reputation. However, I've fallen in love with the sound of the shawm and I would like to pursue learning that or one of it's variants. There is no Sarah Jeffery of Team Shawm on youtube though. I was wondering if you or anyone else on Team Recorder could point me in the right direction. Engles is mijn geborte taal maar ik kan en beetje nederlands verstanden want ik woon in Belgie (if that makes a difference.) Thank you so much for your great content.
Thanks for your message- ahhh I wish there was a Team Shawm! (that sounds so much more catchy 😂) Try the youtube channel ‘early music in a different way’- I think that must have some shawm on it? And good luck!!
I just bought a Mollenhauer modern alto with F foot (double keys) from Thomann in Germany. (I live in California.) I really like it, especially because the low notes are strong. I tried two of them, rosewood and pearwood, and decided to keep the pearwood alto because it had a more mellow tone, while the rosewood alto had some harsh notes, including F'' (2nd octave). One weakness of the modern alto with F foot is that middle F#'' is about 15 cents flat, but alternate fingerings can be used.
Baroque... baroque..Always baroque! More sweet, more sensitive, more intimate
Love the eyes in the collar :)
Absolutely beautiful
While there was there a chance also to try the Helder recorder? I'd like to hear that too...
I'm a flautist rather than strictly a recorder player. Interestingly to my ears the most beautiful recorder you played in this video was the keyless traditional alto. It sang with emotions and sweetness that the modern recorders did not have.
That's the same in my opinion when comparing the baroque flute to the modern boehm flute. But obviously being heard in an orchestra is more important and that's why the boehm flute exists.
Great, finally a good comparison video I was looking for, before considering getting a Mollenhauer modern in future. But I haven’t got a clue if Michela Petri used that when she recorded the Corelli with Mahan Esfahani.
YukiSoba See Michela in the Brandenberg video with Carmengiola conducted by Abaddo
those keys look exactly like a flute footjoint, that's really interesting 👌
This may be a wishy-washy comment, but I liked both the modern recorders with modern voicing and the regular baroque recorders. The modern recorder with modern voicing would be great when playing with, say, a folk band since it is louder and has more of a sound like a pennywhistle or some forms of peasant flute. Might also work well with renaissance music. When I played in a Hungarian folk band I used to use a soprano Hopf silberflöte (a metal recorder with a straight bore) for this reason - loud and clear sound which could cut through the strings's sound. For playing sensitive nuances, particularly with baroque slower pieces/movements, I love the reedy and tentative sound of a traditional baroque recorder. Like otherwise in life, good to pick the right tool for the right job :-)
Why is this so freaking interesting?
She is a wonderful presenter....(and recorder player too of course!)
Carl Dolmetsch put a high F#/altissimo B natural key on recorders in the '60s. It simply covered the hole in the end of the instrument.
Now you know how saxophones feel trying to trill on those low notes. lol
I put in a modern reorder for a modern recorder. Those in-tune harmonics give many, many sonic possibilites...
If you have to be heard in a bigger hall over an orchestra they could be very handy.
So ... this, or the Küng Eagle, or the Moeck Ehlert, or the Mollenhauer Helder for a modern alto?
Thanks for doing this! I haven't read all the comments (so many!), but wondering, have you tested the Eagle modern recorder, and how do they compare. A modern recorder is at the top of my wish list. Unfortunately, traditional recorders can't stand up to modern woodwind and strings in terms of volume, and I don't like defecting to flute when a piece is clearly intended for flute, just to be heard.
Once I've heard the sound, it's fantastic. Especially , the low register. But when look at the price, oh my god ! I will wait for the ABS resin model.
😲😀😍👍
dont know if anyone gives a damn but if you are bored like me during the covid times then you can stream pretty much all of the latest movies and series on instaflixxer. Have been binge watching with my girlfriend for the last weeks =)
@Crosby Cesar yea, I've been using instaflixxer for years myself :)
Thank you for the "live" comparisons. I didn't think I would be able to tell the difference (my musical ear is not that great), but I really hear the difference! To me, the modern/modern was "cleaner" in sound and much more powerful.. The modern/baroque had a clean, powerful sound as well, but was just a bit "fuzzier" in sound than the modern voice, and the traditional baroque was softer and fuzzier than the modern versions. If I could, I would buy the modern/modern, but I can't afford them and they wouldn't fit with my fellow traditional baroque players anyway. :o)
You are teaching me so much! Now I want that modern recorder. Perhaps it will fit in the budget some day. You didn't mention the Synpor block. Is that a new development, or are other manufacturers using it?
Thank you, Sarah, for this interesting video. I'm not entirely convinced by the quality of the high notes of these contemporary alto recorders. They seemed just as shrill as those in the normal recorders.
Frankly, having to buy a modern one, I would go for one with closed holes to avoid the problem of leaking entirely. Of course the problem is particularly relevant for the two lowest holes.
The modern alto with modern voicing was pleasant, it sounded nearly "electronic". Contrary to character, though, the one I preferred was the soprano: those high notes so full and not shrill... I loved it.
I play the quena, which is the flute of the Andean area. A well-tuned quena covers three octaves going from G1 to G4 and both its low notes and high notes are powerful. Although I played the baroque alto recorder, it always bothered me that its low notes have very little volume and that there are only two octaves. Personally, I never liked that old balcony bar design of Baroque recorders, and I found the design of Renaissance recorders more pleasing. Now I see that modern recorders aim to look for interesting features that remind me of my quena, but unfortunately these have an excessively high price.
Hello Sarah, thank you for your video. I would like to ask you a question please, have you ever tried to play a Japanese Shakuhachi flute? Greetings, Brian,.
I have very briefly tried but couldn’t really make a good sound- but they are beautiful instruments, I love to listen!
@@Team_Recorder Thank you for writing. I will get one next week. I have seen that according to the intensity of the blowing the tunes changes. The Japanese monks use it to carry lost souls from the mountains or battlefields into the temples and offer them to the light. I find really spiritual. Hugs, Brian.
Fantastic vid. I want one 😊
Sarah, while you were there, did you, by chance, play an Elody? It's really "just" a modern voiced Modern Alto in an odd shape and, of course, the pickup in the head. I play Moderns as part of my little ensemble at church. I agree with the bit about the keywork - for me the bottom F on the Alto is the hardest to get consistently - more so than the E. For some reason I generally have less of an issue with the keys on the soprano. Thanks for the comparisons. It's easier to hear the difference in the voicing from a distance than when the instrument is one's own hands (or at least it was for me when I had that opportunity). Thanks again.
I thought I liked the modern voicing best, until you played the baroque voicing. They are both rather nice in their own way and if I had the money, I don't know which I would choose. Don't suppose they do a BOGOF... 🤔
I take a recorder band at my school, SATB. What would you suggest is an appropriate number breakdown of parts with a group of 40 players for the best overall blend of sound. Many thanks!
Good and tricky question! Ideally you want more on the lower parts and less on the top, so like 8S/10A/10T/12B. But I know a lot more people play the higher instruments than low! Sooo... as many as you can on tenor and bass. Then maybe make 2 dofferent soprano parts and 2 different alto parts so it’s not so much unison playing? Good luck!
@@Team_Recorder THanks Four more Basses I think. They sound pretty good already .
You show that these will play lower notes that don't need the knee, but what happens if you were to use your knee? Do they go lower still? I haven't mastered that technique, but i do like the idea of the bigger range.
Ooh good point, yes it would go lower still.
Sounds like the bore is less steeply conical and more like that of a traverso
I preferred the tone and overall sound of the regular recorder.
Michajeru - so did I until Sarah compared the lowest notes - that's when the normal recorder's weakness really showed up
I think I like the baroque voicing of the modern recorder best, though not by a lot. And I like both the moderns better than the standard baroque, mostly because of their strength and stability in the low notes. I also love the idea of being able to get the high F# without using my knee, and being able to use the 3rd octave. Though the last two would be more useful after I improve my playing skills somewhat... which is in-progress. I'm working on it.
The mollenhauer modern baroque voicing might just be my dream recorder.
That's amazing, but I can't buy these recorders on my country. the wood recorders are not easily found too :(
Grettings from Chile!! :)
there are actually some good Chilean recorder players that live in Chile who own these recorders, there is even a Chilean recorder maker, Jorge Montero, his instruments have a beautiful sound, you should ask them :)
I think there should be a closed key for low g#/ab (when opened), like d#-key on baroque flute; much nicer than regular double hole there...
Yes.... also low b has such a different timbre it would benefit from a closed key too.
I wonder if adding a bell key to the alto with low e would open up some very interesting possibilities for alternate fingerings. Also, pressing the bell key partially would probably give a nice low Eb.
The modern recorder would be like the combination between Querflöte and Blockflöte, when they add the kind of E-Fuß in order to reach the lower key, and also stay in tune when people over-blow. it. The same blase principle and bottom key Technik for Querflöte.
I think the comparison is not very fair, since all three variants of recorders are made from different wood (the barock Alto looks like rosewood or olive wood hard to tell in the bad light). And we all now the wood itself has a huge impact to the sound.
But in general I love the modern recorders by Mollenhauer and for me as a Boem flutist the thing with the right pinkie is not a problem. its the same mechanic on every Boem flute.
Greetings from Frankfurt
Have you tried the Moeck "Elhert" recorders? How do they compare with the Mullenhauer modern recorders, aside from the absence of the low B or E?
I will buy a set of these. Some day. So expensive.
I need one of these!!! (And the cash to buy one!!!)
SURE, anyone want to send one my way, I'll gladly play any of the moderns! 😃😂🎶👍
It's so beautiful to see that after all this century the recorder is still evolving! I have a question: if you close the hole with the knee on a modern recorder you obtain a b/e flat?
interesting developments indeed, which I will try out. However, I am not inclined to dismiss regular recorders yet, as over the years I have been playing many solos against complete modern wind bands and could be heard perfectly without an amplifier. Well made and well voiced recorders might be soft when heared close-by, but the sound really opens up and blossoms at a distance. On one occasion I had to play a somewhat lower part and experimented with tenor recorders in their higher ranges, without a satisfying result. I ended up playing one of my regular baroque alto recorders in the middle range, tuned to... 415, so I had to transpose my part up by a semitone with many muffled sharps. Muffled, or so it seemed, because from the audience's side this solution produced by far the best result, probably because these very sounds were the richest in harmonics. Plain volume is not always the creed, although it can be useful...
Cheerio, Willem
If possible, make on day a review on Yamaha Venova "saxrecorders"
hilderbrandoastofons (can I call you fons?) - not heard of those - are they similar to the instrument Sarah's husband sometimes plays: in other words, an electronic instrument that looks like a little saxophone but can sound like loads of different instruments?
Nope. They are reed instruments that are supposed to sound similar to soprano sax but with fingering like a recorder. Bought one, very disappointing. It is difficult to play, it has some very weak notes. I found easier to start playing a second-hand clarinet, that I bought for a similar price as the venova. My 0.02 €
@@ivanrossi2051 - I know the sort of thing - I bought a similar instrument but the mouthpiece is awful and not changeable - it takes a tenor sax reed and the mouthpiece is huge. I have however, thought about buying a Sans Luthier Clariphone which has a changeable mouthpiece and sounds interesting. I bought a secondhand plastic clarinet - a clarineo I think it's called - designed by a jazz player (name forgotten - sorry). It's supposed to be easy to learn for kids that are too small for a real clarinet, or older folks with hand/finger issues. I struggle with it as I have with my soprano sax - both still big instruments for me and the small reed/mouthpiece, and the tight embouchure required, cause a lot of facial pain for me (I have chronic myofascial pain syndrome/Fibromyalgia). Have you tried any other small reed instruments like perhaps a Chalumeau?
@@honeychurchgipsy6 nope. Venova was supposed to be the best of those according to what I found. Better than xaphoon for example
Sarah may have reviewed them herself by now, but my quick impression was the tone was interesting, but the notes are not in tune with themselves, even to a greater degree than a saxophone.
So. When are they going to produce these Recorders in resin ? I have a Vincent Benolin in resin and it sounds just fine.
You beat me to that comment.1400+ euros is out of most our range
The first topic you mentioned in this video was the harmonic recorder. Is the Mollenhauer Modern recorder the only recorder on the market that is considered a harmonic recorder, or are there other makers/models that are harmonic as well? I'm looking into an Eagle Alto and was curious if this was the case or not.
There are other harmonic recorders on the market! The Eagle indeed is harmonic.
Very nice video, i would like to point out that they have a version in G, which is FANTASTIC, i do have one and like so very much, which can work perfectly for some Vivaldi concertos intended to be for a G alto recorder like the RV 92... if played in 440 with modern instrument
Yesss they do! I didn’t have time to go into that in the video as well, but it’s a lovely instruemnt 😊
Thank you for the great comparison! Would there be any reason for a beginner not to buy a modern recorder? I'm currently using a Mollenhauer Denner Alto but would love the extra power in the lower notes. I've played saxophone for almost 30 years so the recorder fingering has felt very natural but I still have to get used to the weakness in the low notes and how much air the high notes need to sound clearly each time I pick up the instrument.
Hi Brad! I'm also a saxophonist who recently began playing soprano recorders. I have the Modern soprano, and there is no reason a beginner on recorder could not play a Modern recorder (other than the expense).
@@robertnoblitt518 Thank you for the reply. I ended up buying a Mollenhauer Modern Alto which I really enjoy. Beautiful instrument with rich overtones. I didn't buy the one with the extra key as I wanted the fingering to be the same as my other recorders but I'm very happy with it. Now the trick is finding time to play it consistently. 🙂
I mean it would be nice if it becomes more widely used, but I think I would want both modern and baroque to coexist, because for example with Renaissance recorders, though they do exist they are harder to get and very niche.
Oh great! More things to tempt my pocketbook. 😆
I could see how one could squeeze into a more “modern” orchestra better with a modern recorder. Well they all sound really good. Different tools for different jobs. And That’s really exciting.
Hello Sarah, nice video! A question..is better ebony alto with f - foot or palisander alto with e - foot? (Both with modern voicing)..so...btween these two, which one would you buy? Thank you!
E foot for sure!! I’m all about that low E 😛
@@Team_Recorder thank you Sarah😃
Awesome
What would be the best Alto recorder at great price, most likely plastic since wooden recorders are often very expensive...thank you very much! I really enjoy your RUclips channel...
Benito Fernandez I practice on Yamaha plastics but considering the resin ones as a step up.
oh my god I NEED THAT B KEY
I would like to see Strathmamm flute
I have been considering the Alto in G for some time now as I have mobility and pain issues that make stretching for a normal alto difficult, especially when my hands are painful. However, I am put off by the need to use the key for the lowest note and trills (I suppose the G Alto would only have 2 keys which makes life easier). Also, if they require a bigger overall stretch then the G might not be much better anyway. I might be better off buying a normal Baroque in G or even a fourth flute in baroque pitch which takes me down to A (I don't play with other people so no probs on tuning etc.)
Now this sucks. There are recorder makers, though, that make custom recorders for people with impairments, for those who are missing fingers or have only one functioning hand, for example. I'm sure people like Geri Bollinger or Stefan Blezinger are able to make an instrument for you -- but it's also a budget question. Also, keep in mind that grenadilla is heavy as hell -- a heavy recorder might put too much strain on your hands, joints, or whatever is bothering you. The Mollenhauer Modern in G is available in grenadilla and pear wood -- pear is not as heavy, but it is not a long-lasting wood, and I wouldn't pay 1000+ for a pear wood recorder. The Kynseker Altos in G are more reasonably priced -- available in maple or plum wood, they have no hardware at all -- but they are Renaissance-type recorders.
Another option are the new Mollenhauer cherry woods- they are very very lightweight!
@@DellaStreet123 thanks - I have considered the Kynsekers as they do a G alto which sounds beautiful and is available in plum or maple I think for around 5- 600 pounds from Windbrass. The Mollenhauer Modern in G is on sale for less than £700 currently if you don't mind pearwood. This seems an amazingly low price. I have also considered the Dolmetsch handmade recorders still available from Aafab but it looks like they only do a G alto in 415 pitch now. I keep looking for second hand 3rd and 4th flutes - i.e. alto in A, soprano in Bb but they rarely come up for sale. How do you manage with using a one handed recorder- I know Dolmetsch used to make them - I really admire your tenacity?
@@honeychurchgipsy6 Sarah has a video about playing one-handed recorders. ruclips.net/video/xlXjr0oOrXs/видео.html -- As far as unusual pitches are concerned: There might still be some Harlan-type recorders around. They were built in a variety of pitches, similar to tin whistles. The first recorder was an alto in E. Hindemith was a fan of the original German recorders and wrote his piece for three recorders (Eutiner Musiktage) for recorders in A, A and low D. Today, it is usually played transposed, if at all. As to be expected, early 20th century German recorders use German fingering. The good part is that Harlan-type recorders are still available on the German site of eBay. Some sellers require high prices (considered their recorders are as old as the hills), especially when interest in the Herwiga model (named after recorder maker Herwig) grew during the past years. Sometimes, recorders in uncommon pitches are on sale as well, sometimes as part of a bundle of old recorders. The bad news is that you don't know what you are buying, i.e. whether the recorder is still playable.
Could you make a review video for the Aulos Bass Recorder 533b???? Pleaseeeeee ;------;
Those high notes hurt
Curious if the key issues you described are also true for the modern alto with F foot? I imagine those leys similar to their tenor keys?
Sarah may pop in but.....I have a Modern Alto with the F foot. The arrangement is exactly like a keyed tenor. Having two rollers and the paddle (E foot Alto, B foot Soprano) makes getting the one in the middle a bit challenging. I find the soprano easier, but it might be because in my case the larger radius curvature of the top of the Elody also makes me loose the feel for the second and third right-hand holes, which complicates it for me-I find myself leaking one or the other of those holes going for the middle roller on the foot. More practice I need....
Anyone have experience with the Moeck modern Ehlert recorders? I am curious about their Tenor. Doesn't look like Mollenhauer has a Tenor in this line.
The modern has power clarity and stability but the baroque voicing has a sweetness (sweet flute) not as present in the modern. That sweetness moves me even in these brief excerpts. But no so much with the modern.