Fontanella are proud to have been the recipients of a major grant from the Humphrey Richardson Taylor Trust which has enabled us to acquire a fantastic set of consort instruments by Adrian Brown.

The ensemble's magnificent consort consists of thirteen instruments, built as a set primarily in 'fifths' according to surviving evidence from renaissance instruments, cases and other source material. This sequence, often overlooked today, gives the great advantage that similar fingerings are used on each instrument, producing a fantastically homogeneous sound. Getting the right combination of instruments, in the right sizes and quantities, for our relatively large ensemble was a challenge for players and maker alike, but we are delighted with the results. Adrian was also very accommodating in creating key work for those of us with especially small hands!  For those who are curious, our instruments are pitched at A - 466: Contrabass in F, Great basses in C (x 3), Bassets in G (x 3), Tenors in D (x3), Altos in G (x1) and A (x2).

Read more about Adrian's instruments here.

Other recorders

Fontanella uses a huge range of instruments from the tiny Garklein (pitched an octave above the standard descant size in C, that's three octaves above middle c!!) down to the huge seven foot contra bass (two octaves below the standard treble recorder in F). Fontanella's baroque-style and modern instruments are made by a number of respected makers. See our links page for more information. 

Information for Composers

Click here to download a pdf giving technical information and ranges of instruments.