Recorder31 Day 20 | Workshop Tour with Tom de Vries

Have you ever wondered what a recorder workshop looks like? Well, in truth, they are all very different, from small sheds to large-scale factory operations — but the love for our instrument flows out of every one. For today’s Recorder31 video, we have a behind-the-scenes look at the workshop of one of the fastest-rising recorder makers in the current scene.

Last week, we paid a visit to Tom de Vries, whose instruments are lovingly handcrafted in his workshop in Friesland, The Netherlands.

Tom took us on a quick tour of the workshop showing the various stages of making instruments and some of the tools he uses during the process.

In case you missed it, Tom de Vries took part in one of our Side-by-Side interviews earlier this month alongside Erik Bosgraaf — here’s another chance to hear the fascinating interview.

Are you feeling inspired to meet more makers? Explore our full recorder catalogue today, or come along to the London International Festival of Early Music in November, where we will be exhibiting alongside many of the world’s best-loved recorder makers.

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Today we are taking a look at a truly exceptional piece from our Reconditioned range: a Stanesby Jr. Soprano in Grenadilla, hand-crafted in the very workshop featued above, by today's featured master maker Tom de Vries.

Thomas Stanesby Jr. was renowned for building instruments with extraordinary vocal elegance and precise intonation. Combined with de Vries’ master craftsmanship and the dense, oily nature of grenadilla, this instrument (in as-new condition) delivers a dark, shimmering soloist’s voice.

Listen for the intense tonal focus and "wood-grain" bite in the attack. Grenadilla gives the upper register a silvery, laser-like projection without a hint of breathiness, while the reconditioned windway provides a deliciously stable, centred core across complex Baroque passages.

Listen to this recorder!

Sammartini Allegro: