Rosenborg Castle, Copenhagen, inv. no. 1:75

Material: Original: narwhale tusk, copy: boxwood.

Pitch: c” at a’=478, i.e. fundamental a bit lower than modern d”.

Design: Ornaments at the blockline and on the foot.

Finger holes: All in line.

Musical characteristics: The attack is light, especially on the high notes. Sonority bright. The lowest notes are less rich in tone.

The recorder’s history: It has belonged to the Danish royal family since the 1600’s. Though first mentioned in an inventory from 1678, it could be quite a bit older. It’s possible connection to van Eyck’s music has been known since the 1980’s (see introduction).