Traditional Musical Instrument: The Delightful European Recorder

The recorder sings, excites, and soothes across the ranges of the upper musical spectrum. Historical mentions of the recorder, a member of the woodwind family, began to appear during the Renaissance in the 16th century. After a quiet interlude spanning several decades, the recorder was brought back into the mainstream at the end of the 19th century by certain virtuoso players such as Frans Brüggen. In the 20th century, there were two main branches of recorder development. One involved repertoire and performance enhancements, while the other focused on modern woodwind making. Originally, recorders were made of wood, but today's recorders are also constructed from other materials, including plastic, ceramic, and resin. Due to their rich and smooth tones, wooden recorders are often preferred in performances. The sound of the recorder is truly divine, as it takes us far away from worldly concerns.