Frank Nordberg wrote:


>> That's not strictly speaking true. There was a period from late 17th C 
> to mid 18th C when "flute" in England usually meant (F alto/treble) 
> recorder, but before that a flute was a transverse flute and a recorder 
> was called a recorder. In 1755, when Oswald published his Airs for 
> Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter modern terminology seems to have been 
> firmly (re)established. There seems to be little doubt that the flute he 
> refers to is the trasnverse flute.


But Oswald was very much into Hanoverian London fashion - so even if it 
wasn't firmly re-established, he would surely have been writing for 
fairly trendy drawing-room musicians playing the latest Continental 
instruments.

Was Oswald a court musician at this date or did it come later?

When I listen to Rob's recording of Oswald's Divertimentos for the 
guittar, I think he was sneaking Scottish themes into what sounds like 
European music. I don't know the Airs for seasons you mention but I'd 
like to see them, wouldn't be surprised to find Scottish origins visible 
again!

David




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