Mollenhauer 5222 Denner Alto Recorder

I chose this model because it was an affordable entry into wooden treble recorders, and the castello boxwood was a step up from the softer pearwood. I’m delighted by the brightness and projection of this recorder, and the smoothness in all registers is surprisingly good and very easy to attain. The quality of manufacture and finish is superb, and the wood used in my instrument has a flawless and even grain. Weighing just 200g, it’s easy to hold for long periods without fatigue, and yet the density of the wood is adequate to give a clear tone. All in all I’m very satisfied with the quality, sound and playability of this recorder. Mollenhauer supply a traditional soft padded carry bag which is quite attractive, however I would have preferred a zippered box like those supplied by Moeck or Küng, but that’s a minor issue if you’re careful with your instruments.

The construction and intonation of this recorder are very nice indeed, and the wood is a nice yellowish boxwood. The full range is easy to obtain right up to the top G and Ab, and you can play higher though it will never be particularly beautiful on any standard baroque recorder. That said, it is a boxwood alto recorder and it's beautiful with harpsichord, lute, guitar, or strings. If you're playing a trio sonata with a louder instrument like a modern oboe, you might want something made of a harder wood so that your sound will project more without the urge to push. But for consorts and solos, it's a beautiful sound and a joy to play.