I.H. Rottenburg piccolo

This three part piccolo is modeled after a boxwood original in the Musikinstrumenten Museum in Berlin. Piccolos from the first half of the 18th century are quite rare, although we know from several sources that they did indeed exist. This original is probably one of earliest surviving ones, dating from before 1750. They are regularly called for in French opera music, especially in the works of Rameau and Rebel.

The original has a relatively small embouchure, which I copy. This takes some time to get used to, but once one finds the “sweet spot” it allows great control of intonation, and gives the instrument a sweet, round sound that blends well with strings and winds.