| Rog,
I love performances of Baroque music on the nat and, in fact, since the moment I moved to Europe in 1986 I haven't heard a single one in a major concert venue (or on a serious label) played on the piccolo.
Since I wasn't around "back in the day" (my kids would argue) I can't say with certainty what Herr Reiche and others actually sounded like, but the bloom of overtones present in the longer "natural" instrument compliment the other soloists so beautifully that this is what I hope Bach's trumpeter sounded like.
Gabri is incredible. He buzzes with core/resonance to double C on his mouthpiece and plays with flute-like effortlessness in the clarino register. As do many others, I might add.
The nat was required of all trumpet majors at the Royal Academy of Music when I was teaching in London (and probably still is today). The level of achievement after 2 years of study was remarkable and the best of them played as effortlessly as (name your icon). If you're serious about Baroque music, learn the nat.
Best,
EC |