Folker & Powell Tromlitz flute

Folker & Powell Tromlitz flute

> Grenadilla with eight silver keys

> A=440

> both short & long Bb keys

> excellent condition

This beautiful copy of a Tromlitz flute by two of the finest flutemakers in the USA is a rare instrument on either side of the Atlantic, but even more so here in Europe. It is great fun to play, and would be worth exploring in the context of its place in the development of music for the flute.

Johann George Tromlitz was a prominent player who devised this flute in an attempt to improve evenness and intonation. He published The Keyed Flute in 1800 to explain how it should be used. Rockstro wrote approvingly of his innovations, saying that Tromlitz's 'great aim was always to ensure perfect intonation, as well as an agreeable and powerful tone, throughout the entire compass of the instrument'.

In practice the flute is easily adapted to, since the thumb operates a sprung open C key as on modern Boehm flutes, and the adjacent Bb key can be worked either by shifting the thumb slightly or using RH1. Tromlitz moved the G sharp key slightly further down and placed it on the third joint. He disapproved of the C-foot but improved RH4 by mounting two keys that open holes of different sizes to give E flat or D sharp. The result was a flute that could do justice to the music of Mozart and CPE Bach.

We have checked the flute over. Condition is excellent, with just an old repaired hairline in the grain in the headjoint, away from the embouchure hole, that we have adjusted. We have enjoyed getting to know this flute a little, but it is clear that it will open up a new world to the player of classical and early romantic music.