Mollenhauer 4317 Adris Dream Alto Recorder

This is my new favourite treble recorder. My old one is a Moeck Rottenburgh in palisander which although nicely shaped, smooth to the touch, beautifully patterned and easy to hold is really tricky to play the high notes. My new Mollenhauer on the other hand looks basic, but I like that; it looks renaissance. The high notes played easily from the first day and the sound is clear, round and loud. I'm expecting not to be drowned out by the louder instruments when I join a renaissance music group this summer (which I was last year on my Moeck). It's not a chore but a pleasure to play it in daily.

In appearance, this recorder looks much better in real life than on the website picture; there is not the harsh contrast between the shades that the photo has, and the overall effect is gentle toned.

There are just two slight problems: one is that the straight shape makes it harder to hold without it slipping, but I will solve that by holding it more horizontally; the other is that the finish is slightly rough and is making my lips a bit sore. I am now going to order the soprano model though perhaps with the plastic mouthpiece to avoid sore lips.