The Harmonic Recorder

Maarten Helder in cooperation with Mollenhauer

Harmonic Tenor Recorder | Harmonic Alto Recorder | References | Orders

The Harmonic Tenor Recorder

The concept

The bore of this recorder has been designed to ensure that the harmonics of the two bottom notes are correctly in tune, as is the case with all modern woodwind instruments.

The result

The quality of these harmonics reinforces the lower register and offers the possbility of playing exceptionally high notes, especially in conjunction with the use of the B, C# and Eb keys. Consequently the recorder can attain a chromatic range of more than three octaves.

The keys

The keys are made by master craftsmen at the Mollenhauer factory, that has 174 years of experience in this field.

The block

This is adjustable to compensate for the effects of internal condensation. Additionally, special acoustic effects can be obtained by a twist of the hand.

The piano key

Recorder players are finally able to obtain a descrescendo.

The sound

The sound is both generous and powerful. The notes in the third octave are remarkable, as many of them can be obtained with very little effort.

The use

Apart from contemporary music, this recorder can be used for every kind of music in which a large range is needed and in which the sound volume is important.

Harmonic Alto Recorder

The Harmonic Alto Recorder, a companion instrument to the Harmonic Tenor Recorder, with similar range, features, and performance characteristics, is now available. Like its predecessor, this unique and radically new instrument is a collaborative effort between the Dutch recorder maker Maarten Helder and the Conrad Mollenhauer firm. A novel feature of this instrument is the inclusion of a number of replaceable wind-canals. These may be of different materials or different shapes. And like the Harmonic Tenor Recorder, the Harmonic Alto Recorder also includes an adjustable block, and a sophisticated kework for the lower tone holes.

References

Bowman, P. (1994). The birth of a truly contemporary recorder. Recorder Magazine 15(4): 126-127.
Fischer, J. (1996). Hat die zukunft im blockflötenbau beretis begonnen? Üben & Musizieren 6: 51-53.
Fisher, Johannes (1996). Has the Future of Recorder Construction Already Arrived?, English translation of the above.
Green, D. (1996). Maarten Helder Harmonic Recorder: A new tenor recorder for the performance of contemporary music. Chrestologia 23(3): 10-12.
Hauwe, Walter van (1997). Recorder versus Blockflute. Windkanal 2: 6-7.
Hernández, F.J.S. (1998). Commentarios sobre el nombre del instrumento. Revista de Flauta de Pico 12: 30.
Izquierdo, j. (1997). La flauta tenor armónica. Revista de Flauta de Pico 9: 23-25.
Rose, P. (1996). A new recorder for new music. American Recorder 37 (4): 18-20.
Rothe, G. (2002). Konstruktion & Bauweise, by Gisela Rothe (Germany). Windkanal 2: 25-27. [PDF format]
Schubert, N. & M. Helder (2002). Harmonische Blockflöten als neue Generations in der Blockflötenfamilie. Windkanal 2: 22-24. [PDF format]

Orders

Conrad Mollenhauer GmbH
Weichselstrasse 27
36043 Fulda
Germany
tel. +49 661 94670
fax +49 661 946736
email mollenhauer@t-online.de
WWW Page

These instruments may also be purchased from:

Antique Sound Workshop
70 Lakewood Drive
Plymouth MA 02360-1921
USA
tel. +1 508 833 3979
fax +1 508 833 3760
email aswltd@capecod.net
WWW Page

Recorder Home Page

Last edited: 01/09/2002