Flute
Latin has a word for
an early flute made of an alternative material: 'tibia'. It is no
accident that this is also the word for the shinbone. Less likely
to split that wood, bone was an ideal medium for shaping and
perforating early flutes. By at least 5000 years ago, it had
become an artform, and the recorder is a direct descendant of
these early experiments.
The crossflute (held
horizontally) was in existence in China at least 3000 years ago,
and was also known in pre-dynastic Egypt; it evolved into the
modern orchestral flute through a series of developments and
refinement undertaken doring a long period of folk use until it
entered the orchestra in France in 1681. Within two decades, it
became widely accepted as a chamber instruments and concertoes
were written for it. However, even with enthusiastic support from
King Friedrick the Great of Prussia, it remained a relatively
unsophisticated instrument.
The German flautist
Theobald Boehm completely rethought flute design, working from
basic acoustic principles. Between 1832 and 1847, he repositioned
and enlarged the fingerholes and introduced an entirely new
system of keys. They are now accepted world wide, despite being
slow to achieve adoption in his home country.
Midi: Bach's Flute Sonata
No.1 in A minor, BMV 1030
The
flute is not an instrument that has a good moreal effect - it is
to exciting. -- Aristotle
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