Cornett

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Instruments | Flute | Recorder | Crumhorn
| Shawm |
- | Glastonbury
Pipe | Bagpipe | Racket | Curtal | Cornett |
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Instruments | Sackbutt | Trumpets |
The cornett is the
most highly prized instrument of the 16th century. It is made
of wood and has fingerholes like a recorder but it is played
with a mouthpiece similar to a trumpet's. Masters of the cornett
are renowned for their virtuosity and are the highest paid players
of the orchestra. Princes often compete for their services. On
of the greatest composers of this time, Monteverdi, while court
composer at Mantua, complained bitterly that his stipend was
lower than that of the cornettists in his orchestra.
- The fingerholes on cornetts have to be spaced
rather widely apart to give clear notes, and a difficulty with
the straight treble is the absence of any relief for the stretch
of the lower fingers.
(Photos courtesy of Jonathan M. Askey at website The
London Early Music Shop - see credits)
References:
Baines, Anthony. European & American Musical Instruments.
Viking Press, New York, 1966.
-
- Buchner, Dr. Alexander (translated by Iris
Urwin). Musical Instruments Through the Ages. Batchworth
Press Limited, London, England, 1961.
- Hindley, Geoffrey (ed.). The Larousse
Encyclopedia of Music. Excalibur Books, New York, 1982.
Authors: The VirRen Team led by C.S.Marszalek & B.Panagakis
Created: 8 August 1996; Modified: 23 August 2004