Sixteen Eighty Five ~ music from the baroque ... and before
Recorders in various sizes form our main woodwind instruments. When Vivaldi or any other baroque composer wrote a piece for "flute" the instrument intended was the recorder. At this time the "sideways" flute was known as a "traverso". We do also use transverse flutes copied from baroque instruments - wooden and with only one key.
Our harpsichord, on the other hand, is a thoroughly modern instrument. This means that it is always in tune, can be set to offer a variety of pitches and temperaments and can double as a lovely sounding chamber organ.