Page:The story of the flute (IA storyofflute1914fitz).djvu/91

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Carte's Flutes

occasionally—obtained no permanent hold (Page 68, Fig. 1). Briccialdi also tried to adapt the old fingering to the new flute. He is credited sometimesBriccialdi with having invented a system of closing the F♯ hole by two rings or keys for the F♮ and E♮ holes, which has been largely adopted, but it is more probable that it was invented by Carte

Fig. 13.—Briccialdi's B♭ Lever.

or Forde. However, Briccialdi undoubtedly did invent the B♭ lever now used on Böhm flutes (Fig. 13). This contrivance dates from 1849, and is a decided improvement. It was first made, under Briccialdi's direction, by Rudall & Rose (now Rudall, Carte, & Co), whose flutes rapidly attained a great reputation. Mr. Richard Carte, who joinedRudall,
Carte,
& Co.
the firm in 1850, was for many years well known as a flautist, possessing great facility of execution. In early life he was a personal friend of Spohr, and in 1842 was a member of Julliens' band. The improvements in the flute made from time to time by this firm are both numerous and important. In 1843 they took up Böhm's model of 1832, and brought over Grevé, one of Böhm's best workmen, to instruct their staff. When Böhm's model of 1847 appeared they at once adopted it (Page 68, Fig. 2). In 1851 Carte brought out a new patent flute, in which the open keys and equidistant holes of Böhm were retained, combined with as much as possible of the old eight-keyed fingering, but a greater

69