The Recorder's Golden Era
The baroque period was the recorder's heyday—when composers like Handel, Telemann, Bach, and Vivaldi wrote magnificent concerti, sonatas, and chamber works specifically for the instrument. Learn to play this incredible repertoire with historically informed technique and expressive interpretation.
🎼 Authentic Ornamentation
Master French, Italian, and German ornamentation styles. Learn trills, mordents, appoggiaturas, and diminutions in their proper historical context.
📖 Period Articulation
Discover baroque tonguing syllables, inequality, and rhetorical phrasing that brings this music to life with authentic expressiveness.
🎵 Great Repertoire
Work through the masterpieces: Handel sonatas, Telemann fantasias, Bach partita, Vivaldi concerti, and chamber music.
🏛️ Historical Context
Understand the theory of affects, rhetoric in music, and the cultural context that shaped baroque performance practice.
What You'll Learn
Baroque Technique
- Period-appropriate fingerings and alternate fingerings for expressiveness
- Baroque tonguing syllables and articulation patterns
- Notes inégales (inequality) and swing feel
- Vibrato usage in baroque style
- Breath management for long baroque phrases
- Dynamic shaping and terraced dynamics
Ornamentation Mastery
- French ornament tables (Hotteterre, Freillon-Poncein)
- Italian diminutions and divisions (Dalla Casa, Rognoni)
- German graces (C.P.E. Bach, Quantz)
- Improvised ornamentation and embellishment
- Cadential formulas and clausulae
- Style-appropriate ornamentation choices
Repertoire Study
- Handel Sonatas (Op. 1 collection)
- Telemann Fantasias and Sonatas
- Bach Partita in A minor BWV 1013
- Vivaldi Concerti (RV 441, RV 443, etc.)
- Van Eyck Der Fluyten Lust-hof
- English, French, and Italian chamber music
Performance Practice
- Continuo realization and figured bass understanding
- Ensemble playing and consort skills
- Affect theory and rhetoric in performance
- Tempo choices and tempo relationships
- Dance forms and their characteristics
- Preparing period-style performances
Repertoire Levels
Intermediate Baroque
Ready to start if you can: Play scales fluently, read music comfortably, handle basic ornaments
- Simple Handel movements
- Telemann easy sonatas
- English and French dances
- Simple van Eyck pieces
Advanced Baroque
Ready to start if you can: Handle complex fingerings, execute ornaments, play advanced repertoire
- Complete Handel sonatas
- Telemann Fantasias
- Bach Partita
- Vivaldi Concerti with orchestra
Why Learn Baroque Recorder?
The baroque era produced the greatest recorder repertoire ever written. These works showcase the instrument's expressive capabilities, technical demands, and musical sophistication. Whether you're interested in historically informed performance or simply love beautiful music, the baroque repertoire offers endless rewards.
Unlike many instruments whose "old music" feels dated, the recorder's baroque repertoire remains vital and moving. A well-played Handel sonata or Vivaldi concerto still captivates modern audiences with its emotional depth and virtuosic brilliance.
Student Testimonials
"Tali's knowledge of baroque ornamentation transformed how I approach this music. She explains not just what ornaments to use, but why—the historical context makes everything click."
— Margaret L., Early Music Enthusiast
"I've been playing recorder for years but always struggled with making baroque music expressive. Tali taught me about affects, rhetoric, and articulation. Now my playing has real character and feeling."
— Thomas K., Amateur Musician
Ready to Master Baroque Recorder?
Whether you're preparing for early music ensemble work, building your solo repertoire, or simply love baroque music, these lessons will deepen your understanding and elevate your performance.
Book Your Baroque Lesson