Real pieces for the RECORDER that I could play or listen to

[Ciel_Rouge]

I am still considering taking up the recorder and have done a little research on the scores available. However, a lot of the pieces have been ARRANGED for this instrument whereas I am looking for ORIGINAL works that have been written with the recorder in mind in the first place. I did not put it in the instruments section because I would like to concentrate on listening first. I wonder what recorder virtuosos I should listen to ;-)

[CRCulver]

I am still considering taking up the recorder and have done a little research on the scores available. However, a lot of the pieces have been ARRANGED for this instrument whereas I am looking for ORIGINAL works that have been written with the recorder in mind in the first place. I did not put it in the instruments section because I would like to concentrate on listening first. I wonder what recorder virtuosos I should listen to ;-)

Vagn Holmboe wrote a recorder concerto. There's a fine recording of it on a BIS disc. The performer there, Dan Laurin, is supposedly one of the most prominent recorder virtuosos, so you might want to then seek out other discs where he appears.

[Joe Barron]

The best known piece in the recorder repertoire is Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 4, which is scored for two recorders (not transervse flutes). Usually the recorders are in F, but I recently spoke with a recorder player who told me the Recorder I feels more natural under the hands on an insrtument tuned to G, although they're expensive and hard to come by.

Handel wrote a number of recorder sonatas. I've tried to play them.They're quite challenging. Telemann's Suite in A and Double Concerto in E for recorder and flute are well-known and regarded among recorder players.

In the 20th century, Vincent Persichetti wrote a brief Sereande for two recorders (No. 9, I believe), which I've also played.

[jochanaan]

There's a lovely Suite for Recorder and Strings by Gordon Jacob.

I believe I've also heard some challenging recorder pieces by Takemitsu.

[MishaK]

http://www.youtube.com/v/jcvfaMRf2P0

http://www.youtube.com/v/U67EHW13-kY

[jochanaan]

As for recorder virtuosos, one name is sufficient for a starting point: Michala Petri, probably the world's foremost recorder player.   (Caveat: I heard her live once, doing things like that famous Saint Saens gypsy caprice originally for violin and orchestra, with jaw-dropping technique and flawless musicianship.   I haven't heard any other world-class recorder players live, just some good locals.)

[Ciel_Rouge]

jochanaan: I had some previous knowledge of Michala Petri, she was one of the reasons why I started playing with the idea of taking up the recorder. Do you have any advice for me as a future recorder player? I intend to first purchase something cheap to see if I really like it. Should I choose wooden or plastic? Any tips on how to read notes faster?

[MishaK]

I haven't heard any other world-class recorder players live, just some good locals.)

Ummmm... jochanaan, how about the dude in the videos above, Giovanni Antonini?

[vandermolen]

See 'A Gallery of Cats' in CD below:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2009/Oct09/Spratley_TOCC0088.htm

[jochanaan]

jochanaan: I had some previous knowledge of Michala Petri, she was one of the reasons why I started playing with the idea of taking up the recorder. Do you have any advice for me as a future recorder player? I intend to first purchase something cheap to see if I really like it. Should I choose wooden or plastic? Any tips on how to read notes faster?

Definitely wooden; they have much better tone.  There are several good, inexpensive brands out there; my soprano and alto are Küng pearwood (made in Switzerland), but I've also played on Gill (Israeli-made, I believe) and liked it.

As for reading notes faster, the best way is just to do it!  The more you read, the better you get at it.

[Ciel_Rouge]

jochanaan: I highly value your advice. I tried reading scores before as I played with a piano emulator for PC and my skills got indeed refreshed and improved a bit. As for the recorder itself, I am sure I will start with something basic and cheap as I am not ready to invest serious money yet. I am however serious about learning how to play and recording my first attempts performing. Do you have any suggestions what would be easy to learn for starters? I have a friend who can play something by Mozart, I also saw a lot of people playing Beethoven's 9 choral theme on a recorder on YouTube...

[jochanaan]

Ciel Rouge, the best things to start playing on recorder were written much earlier than Mozart's or Beethoven's music. Folk tunes and Medieval music are good things to start with on recorder.  I don't know what's available in Poland, but you could probably find a medieval collection or a folk collection easily enough.  Also look for a method book.  There are probably "adult beginner" books available that wouldn't "talk down" to you as to a child, but even a children's method can get you started.

[Rod Corkin]

I am still considering taking up the recorder and have done a little research on the scores available. However, a lot of the pieces have been ARRANGED for this instrument whereas I am looking for ORIGINAL works that have been written with the recorder in mind in the first place. I did not put it in the instruments section because I would like to concentrate on listening first. I wonder what recorder virtuosos I should listen to ;-)

Look no further than Handel's recorder sonatas.