Mollenhauer 5223 Denner Alto Recorder

Super blij met mijn nieuwe Mollenhauer Denner Altblokfluit uit Olijfboomhout! De fluit is een superlichtgewicht en met een geweldig heldere zuivere klank en body. Het hout is prachtig geaderd en een aanwinst in mijn bestaande collectie Moeck blokfluiten. Elke fluit heeft een eigen karakter en de Denner spreekt heel licht aan en is makkelijk te bespelen in de hoge tonen. Besteld bij Thomann en binnen 48 uur geleverd in Velserbroek NL. Top!

This review is for the exceptional service at Thomann and the fine products they carry. I purchased the Mollenhauer Denner alto recorder in olive as a special treat to myself. I am just returning to playing the recorder after a 20 yr hiatus. The recorder is beautiful! It makes a lovely sound, is responsive and a joy to play. Equally impressive to me was the experience I had with Thomann. The order process was simple and efficient. The recorder arrived in my small town in the USA within 3 days of the order! The pricing was terrific. And I had a technical question about the recorder, which was answered promptly by a Thomann representative. Overall, an exceptional experience. Worthy of 6 stars!

I have had the recorder a few months now and spent time getting to know it.
Pros:
Very responsive. Does not require a great deal of breath (compared to a Moeck Rottenburgh) and is very responsive to articulation.
Very easy in the upper register - barely requires any change in breath pressure to play notes up to high F.
Does not seem to get blocked...ever, when playing!
Has a fairly gentle but clear sound. I play trio sonatas with friends and it holds it's own well, without being overbearing.

Cons
Is very responsive! Slight changes in breath pressure affect intonation, but that says more about my playing than the recorder!
Joints are a little too loose for my liking. I have added thread to help them fit snugly as I could feel them moving when playing. However, I have another Mollenhauer and the joints are perfect, so maybe just this recorder.
Lower notes are quiet, but this is to be expected when the upper register is so accessible.
High G (above top F) needs slightly different fingering than I am used to, but this is a very minor quibble!
All round - beautiful recorder, although not the most powerful. Has really helped me develop my articulation and is great for playing baroque repertoire.

This is a very pretty wood and nice, light instrument in the hand.
From first arrival it was remarkably resistant to condensation - a very important quality.

It's sound is pleasant but not remarkable. (I have a Kung Marsyas in Plumwood that has a far more beautiful sound, but becomes hoarse easily).

This instrument is a very good practice recorder, easy to play right across the range including the upper register. This recorder is a good choice for a learner and I think a good buy.