1947 Dolmetsch Treble Recorder
Dolmetsch Treble Recorder in Rosewood with Ivory beak and mounts, serial number 2491. Since the year of manufacture is only an estimation based on approximate yearly productions accounts, this recorder could be made as early as 1939.
When I took possesion of this instrument it was in bad shape. The cork totally disinegrated upon touch. The block was not in good health. Thanks to Jim Bartram the recorder was restored to a reasonable playable condition. It was probably a great instrument to have in the 40s, but now it serves more for its historical importance than its music producing quality.
Arnold Dolmetsch had owned a genuine Bressan Recorder for years and used it for his concerts. Then in 1918 he lost it in a train station. Unable to find another authentic historical instrument, he set off to make a recorder. Fortunately he already drew the plan of his Bressan, and after numerous trials and errors, he succeeded in reproducing a recorder both in looks and sound similar to the original in the following year. He became the first person to successfully reproduce this historical instrument, and by 1925 completed his first recorder consort, after which he passed the recorder manufacturing operation to his son Carl. Dolmetsch's success in producing recorders started the whole recorder revival craze. For many years, all Dolmetsch recorders are carbon copies of this original Bressan, including mine. Dolmetsch recorders were considered as the very best, bar none.
As for the lost Bressan, a few years later one of his students found the original Bressan in a pawn shop, bought it, and gave it back to Dolmetsch. Today the recorder is housed in the Dolmetsch collection in the Horniman Museum, Forest Hill, London.
Arnold Dolmetsch playing his original Bressan Treble Recorder in 1916, photo taken by Alvin Coburn