Instrument: 8-key flute in C, signed as 1821, made of crystal with silver keys and trim (original case)
Maker: Laurent, Claude. Paris (1805-1848)
Pitch: A=432 - 440
Sounding Length: 580mm ?
Total Length:
Embouchure size:
Restorer: Robert Lodge, Dee Pipik (MCKAY LODGE CONSERVATION LABORATORY, INC), Jon Cornia
Notes: A beautiful 8-key crystal flute by Laurent. Frosted glass with fluted exterior. Based on the silver hallmarks it is possible the keywork was made in 1819. This one is special in a number of ways. The label of this flute shows that it was sold by Monzani in London. It came to me as a pair in an original case (probably from Monzani) paired with an Ivory 9-key Monzani flute. It is compelling to imagine that Monzani may have made the ivory flute to pair with the Laurent and it is possible that they were meant to be played together. Now that the flutes are restored the idea that the Monzani was made to play with the Laurent is well supported. The play very much at the same pitch. Looking at the two flutes side-by-side one can see that the embouchure and finger hole sizes of the Monazi are extremely similar to the Laurent. The two flutes do date within a year of each other and they appear to have a very similar scale.
The Laurent had a broken foot when I acquired the flute. Through the wonderful work of the McKay Lodge Conservatory Laboratory this repaired quite fantastically.
Laurent only produced a small number of 8-key flutes. Only 4 of his flutes are know from 1821
Demonstration recordings:
https://soundcloud.com/mloberlin/laurent-crystal-flute-8-key-1821
