English or French? R&R or Pratten?

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English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by jemtheflute »

I'm not pretending this is serious, but since it's a perennial topic of debate, here's an experimental exploration of the sounds of mid C19th flutes conventionally supposed to have very different characters to each other - please read the full blurb on YT.
https://youtu.be/s7eahp4Pj40

Well, really I just played 'em how I play. ;-) Interested in (on-topic on sound) observations/reactions.

(I deliberately chose a tune which explores more of he tessitura than is normal for ITM.)
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by BigDavy »

Hi Jem

Enjoyed the mazurka.

As to the flute sounds, I liked flute 2 the best, then flute 3 and flute 1 the least. Subjectively I liked the upper and lower octave tone better on the Rudal Rose, it sounded richer. That may be down to your greater familiarity with the flute.

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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by dunnp »

The flutes sound like I’d expect in a way. High notes sound better on the French flute. Low notes sound firmer on the Pratten and the more balanced flute is the Rudall.
That’s what I “expected” to hear I suppose though.
I don’t have loads of flutes kicking about these days but when I did I would sit with a few and say pick up the French flute I had to play a tune that had loads of high notes.
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by Peter Otto »

Hi Jem,

The mazurka sounds like it was composed for the French flute. I like the sound of the R&R, but in my opinion the composition favours #3 :thumbsup:

Regards,
Peter
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by jemtheflute »

Thanks for commenting, guys!
Peter Otto - tune was composed on the French flute as well as "for" it. :D

More comments welcome!
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by eilam »

the second sounded best to me.
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by jim stone »

I liked the first. This is fun!
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by jemtheflute »

Perhaps a bit more analytical commentary than just stating which one you prefer? I didn’t intend a poll/beauty contest! :wink: :poke:
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by Flutesoftheforest »

Is it a fair comparison? Did the Rudall and Rose not have the advantage of a Wilkes head joint, making it a non original performer!
You should really get Chris to make head joints for the other two and then compare.
Just being awkward!
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by jemtheflute »

:D :waah:
The Boosey Pratten has a Wilkes embouchure bushing!
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by jim stone »

It is hard to say positive things about flute acoustics, since we often don't have enough vocabulary and reach for metaphors. I thought the Boosey's sound solid, robust, deep and more interesting, FWIW. It is also interesting to consider the contribution Wilkes' has made to this.
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by jemtheflute »

Thanks, Jim.
I respect people's privilege to hold their beliefs, whatever those may be (within reason), but respect the beliefs themselves? You gotta be kidding!

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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by Peter Otto »

Okay, I'll give it a try too, with the extra handicap of not being a native speaker :)
I agree with Jim about the robust sound of the Boosey, but I prefer the less powerfull, more balanced and agile sound of the R&R. And I absolutely love the delicate high notes and transparancy of the French flute.
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by jemtheflute »

Tidy job, Peter. Thanks.
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Re: English or French? R&R or Pratten?

Post by cac »

The task you have set for us is difficult, and I would be very interested to hear your own assessment/comparison of the three flutes as that will undoubtedly be richer and more accurate than ours. Here is mine:
1: bottom notes have a nice 'edge' which, interestingly is higher-pitched (or has a higher-pitched component than 2; upper parts of bottom octave fine; higher notes all right but harsher than 2; overall a very fine flute.
2: notes in bottom octave have a nice, warm buzz; higher notes best of all three flutes; overall the evenest-sounding flute, and also very fine.
3: no part outstanding; bottom notes not rich (except for the very last note!); upper notes acceptable but not better than the other two flutes; still, the more I listen to this version the more pleasant it sounds. No where near as bad as when I first listened to it.

It would be nice to hear one of Jean-Michel Veillon, Anna Besson or Matt Molloy play on each of the flutes. Perhaps someday you'll be able to do that.
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