Music of the Day, 30 October 2024

recorders x 5!

Whew, it’s been more than a week for me, and it’s only Wednesday. Until last night, I hadn’t had time for music; and then, the only thing that came to mind as I was preparing for sleep was that I wanted to listen to something soothing but also lively.

I’d forgotten all about that until a few minutes ago, when I opened up YouTube, hoping that something relaxing would magically appear. And there it was: soothing and lively, and fun to watch.¹

Don’t ask me the names of these five recorders, because I have no idea—especially of the two to the viewer’s far right. James Howard Young is the musician, and apparently also the person who scored this piece for the instruments. I’m not nearly enough of a Bach scholar to recognize the lovely music or the name given on the video; I am certain that I’ll be adding this piece to my collection of relaxing music.

I was not among the legion elementary schoolers whose first introduction to musical instruments was a plastic recorder. That wasn’t a thing in my school system back then. A recorder may have been my first instrument, though: my maternal grandfather gave me two wooden ones,² but whether before or after he gave me my first flute is lost to time.

I did fall prey to the frustrations of playing the instrument: my enthusiasm invariably led to overblowing, producing the screeches that so many of us know well. Young’s performance on each instrument reveals the key to good recorder tone: a relaxed embouchure. Seeing how much each instrument wiggles in his mouth as he makes this glorious music is very informative. After all my years of playing flute, I don’t know that I can unlearn a tighter embouchure, but I’m now tempted to do some experimenting. My vague memory is that fingerings for the instruments are similar to the flute.

I’ve grown to appreciate the recorder over the years. Even its highest register doesn’t sound as shrill as the flute can, and there’s a mellowness to its sound that deeply satisfies me. I hope it’s working similar charms for you.

1. your mileage may vary

2. a soprano in the key of C, and an alto in F