Pre-Owned Rudall, Carte & Co 1867 System Cocus Flute

Our Description

The 1867 System was a keywork system designed by Rudall Carte, with the idea to combine the best aspects of the (then new) Boehm design and traditional systems. It allowed for players to move from traditional flutes onto a more modern design, without the need to re-learn lots of new fingerings that the Boehm flute demanded. For some years, it out-sold the Boehm system in Britain and other parts of the world.

Based upon the 1851 System flute, the principal differences between an 1867 and Boehm instrument are:

• All keys open (minus trills) results in D rather than C#
• The thumb keys are reversed: the upper key gives B, while the lower key gives Bb
• Open G#: the left hand little finger key must be down for G
• R1 finger is responsible for two keys. The upper gives F#, the lower gives F (F# is also available with R3 like the Boehm flute)

While there are no major manufacturers producing 1867 System flutes today, it is a good system; we'd highly recommend this in particular to players of traditional music.

General Condition

This flute has recently had a full overhaul workshop prior to sale and is in good condition throughout. 

About Rudall, Carte & Co

The British company Rudall Carte was among the most famous and well-regarded names in the music industry of the 19th and 20th centuries. Founded as Rudall & Rose in 1822, Richard Carte (father of Richard D'Oyly Carte, of later Gilbert and Sullivan fame) joined the firm around 1850, and the company  of Rudall, Rose, Carte & Co then became Rudall, Carte and Company in 1874.

Up until its acquition by Boosey & Hawkes in 1955, Rudall Carte were producing high-quality flutes in a range of materials - primarily cocus wood, but also silver, ebonite and gold - at varying price points. In addition, many famous names in flute history honed their trade at Rudall Carte, including Albert Cooper, Ewen McDougall and Harry Seeley (the last two of whom, along with five other Carte workers, went on to set up Flutemakers Guild).

Rudall Carte cocus wood flutes in particular are rightly still held in high esteem today: beautifully engineered and well ahead of their time, a restored, well cared-for Rudall Carte can be a pleasure to play. Many players like to match a modern British headjoint (such as Robert Bigio or Peter Worrell) to get the most out of these instruments, although there are some notable players who find the warmth and charm of the original headjoint preferable.

Rudall Carte today are known primarily only in the flute world, yet they were hugely successful and highly influential: as well as selling other instruments, the firm published books and music, and were also concert promoters. We highly recommend Robert Bigio's excellent book Rudall, Rose & Carte: The Art of the Flute in Britain for a greater insight into this historic company's production and legacy.

Specifications

What's Included

• Original case

Item Details