Moeck ROTTENBURGH 4424

A Modernized Rottenburgh: Optimizing a Classic

It is always possible to refine a good instrument: this Rottenburgh recorder has been redesigned based on design innovations aimed at pushing further the playing stability and expressive palette. The goal is clear: to achieve more reliable sound production, a clearer response, and a more comfortable instrument for daily use, without losing the expected tonal balance of a characterful recorder.

The announced improvements notably concern the acoustic center, the geometry of the windway (conical and curved), a narrower air inlet and a wider air outlet, as well as an optimized labium underside. The desired result: a more stable air column, increased dynamic potential, and better resistance to "hoarseness" (muffled sound) when pushing volume or playing in the upper register.

Who Is This Recorder For?

This Rottenburgh is particularly suitable for intermediate to advanced musicians who want to gain precision in attack, dynamic control, and intonation consistency. Its overall balance and more direct response make it a relevant choice for the Baroque repertoire (Baroque fingering), but also for ensemble music, teaching, or projects where a recorder capable of remaining clear and stable across varied dynamics is sought.

The work on ease of handling and keywork stability is a real plus for instruments in the lower register: the ergonomics aim to make playing more accessible, even for smaller hands, while maintaining a sense of control over the lowest notes.

Sound and Design

Made of boxwood, this recorder highlights a naturally rich timbre, with beautiful density in the midrange and appreciable warmth in the lower register. The improved bore is highlighted as a key point: it contributes to a purer and better-balanced timbre across all registers, while promoting homogeneity in transitions between low and high notes.

The block and windway, reworked (conical curved windway, narrowed air inlet, widened air outlet, optimized labium), aim for more stable sound production and a more precise attack. This results in a more variable tone, capable of ranging from a soft and round playing to more distinct dynamics, with a higher dynamic potential. Mechanically, the new key system is designed to be more stable, with muffled key noises to preserve sound quality, especially in ensemble playing or recording.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

This recorder comes with the essentials for playing and maintenance: a case for transport, a cleaning rod and cloth for cleaning, cork grease to preserve assembly, as well as a certificate, a fingering chart, and a maintenance kit. To maintain sound stability and wood longevity, regular cleaning after each session remains the best practice.

Technical specifications

Level	Professional	Color	Brown
System	Baroque	Finishing	Natural
Materials	boxwood

Material	boxwood	Windway	conical curved
Bore	improved	Air inlet	narrower
Registers	louder lower register, clearer upper register	Air outlet	wider
Comfort	easy handling	Labium underside	optimized
Mechanical noise	muffled key noises	Objectives	stable air column, significant dynamic potential, resistance to recorder hoarseness
Keys	double key for C/C#	Fingering	Baroque
Holes	double holes for D/D#	Adjustment	instrument adjusted by a luthier
Acoustic center	improved	Behavior	more precise attack, more variable tone, higher dynamic potential