The Renaissance Flute

The renaissance flute, with its rich history, stunning repertoire, and mellow tone, has attracted a significant following among flutists, whether they specialize in modern flute or historical instruments. Yet, actually delving into the study of renaissance flute has proven a challenge - there exists a confusing array of editions of renaissance music, specialized (and often expensive) facsimiles of manuscripts and early prints, and in unfamiliar notations, while at the same time there is a dearth of resources for beginners. Confronting this challenge with the first ever practitioners' handbook for renaissance flute, Kate Clark and Amanda Markwick offer flutists of all levels a clear and accessible introduction to the world and repertoire of the instrument. In The Renaissance Flute: A Contemporary Guide, Clark and Markwick cover all aspects, from practicalities such as buying and maintaining the instrument, to actual music for solo and group performance, to theory designed to improve the understanding and playing of renaissance polyphony. This approach enables students to immerse themselves at their own pace and build on their skills with each chapter. With nearly 40 full pages of exercises, and a companion website with recorded examples and filmed instructions from the authors, The Renaissance Flute provides professionals and newcomers alike a new entryway into the world and practice of renaissance music.

Kate Clark's distinguished solo, chamber and orchestral career has encompassed flutes from the 16th to the 19th centuries. She is the winner of several prizes and performs with many of Europe's most acclaimed Early Music ensembles. She is also co-founder of the Attaignant Consort and the Osmosis ensemble. Clark teaches historical flutes at the Royal Conservatorium in Den Haag (1996 -) and is regularly invited as a guest teacher/lecturer all over Europe and abroad.
Amanda Markwick plays historical flutes from the Renaissance through the early Romantic eras. She received Bachelors and Masters degrees from both Indiana University Bloomington (USA) and the Koninklijk Conservatorium in The Hague (NL), studying with Barbara Kallaur, Kate Clark, Wilbert Hazelzet, and Barthold Kuijken. Amanda performs regularly throughout Europe in various chamber and orchestral ensembles. She lives and teaches in Berlin, Germany.

- Foreword
- Preface
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Instruments: Materials, Pitch, Makers, and Maintenance
- 3. Playing the Flute: Sound, Fingerings, and Articulation
- 4. Playing Together: Sound, Tuning, and Temperament in Consort Playing
- 5. Exercises
- 6. Introduction to the Music
- 7. Music Suitable for One Flute
- 8. Music Suitable for Two Flutes
- 9. Music Suitable for Three Flutes
- 10. Music Suitable for Four Flutes
- 11. The Renaissance Modes
- 12. The Hexachord
- 13. Musica Vera and Musica Ficta
- 14. Cadences in Renaissance Music
- 15. Renaissance Ornamentation: Diminutions and Graces
- 16. Notation and Transcription
- 17. The Haka Flute