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Blending heritage and innovation: RCM instruments old and new feature in latest recording on Channel Classics

Friday 5 September 2025

Tra le fiamme brings together the Royal College of Music’s innovative new 3D printed instruments with rare originals from the RCM Collection, performed by alumni and leading professors from the RCM Historical Performance Faculty.  

Royal College of Music (RCM) instruments and musicians play a central role in this new Channel Classics release with award-winning period ensemble Florilegium, directed by RCM Head of Historical Performance Ashley Solomon.  

At the heart of the recording are cutting-edge replicas of the College’s ivory Denner recorder. Created by the RCM using world-leading 3D printing technology, these innovative replica instruments protect the fragile originals while allowing their distinctive sound to be heard by today’s audiences. Visually and acoustically identical to their original counterparts, the copies have been reverse engineered to repair any cracks, dents and imperfections.

The recording also features the College’s historic 17th-century Barak Norman viol, performed by RCM professor Reiko Ichise, and features performances from acclaimed soprano and RCM alumna Rowan Pierce. 

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Ashley Solomon, Head of Historical Performance at the Royal College of Music, commented: ‘I am delighted that Florilegium were able combine unique instruments from the RCM Museum in our latest recording which includes Handel’s dramatic cantata Tra le fiamme. This work also features an identical pair of 3D printed copies of our original ivory Denner recorder from 1720 bringing history and innovation together for the very first time on a commercial CD.’ 

Find out more about studying Historical Performance at the Royal College of Music, where students explore over 500 years of music history on both historical and modern instruments, with unparalleled access to outstanding research and study resources, and the College’s extensive collection of instruments, manuscripts, and early printed editions.