Since Edgar Hunt presented his complete collection to the Bate Collection, Oxford (GB) this instrument has been located in the museum and it is – as far as is known – the only Fourth Flute made by Bressan. This recorder is a remarkable instrument in all respects.

Besides the ”Suites Nos. 5 & 6 “ of Dieupart, the following pieces can be realised very well on a fourth-flute: J.M. Hotteterre; op.5/2 (c minor) and F. Couperin; Concert Royaux No. 11 (c-minor)
During the last years much biographical information has been published about Bressan. He was born in Bourg-en-Bresse (France) as Pierre Jaillard, and, via Paris, arrived in London in 1688. There he became a celebrated and prosperous woodwind instrument maker. The last one or two years of his life were overshadowed by financial hardships. He returned to France and died in Tournais (Belgium). Today he has become one of the most famous makers of the 18th century and is justly considered to be one of the very best.

Lit.: Edgar Hunt, The Recorder and it’s Music, London 1966,
G. Klemisch, “Zur Bauweise der Blockflöte um 1700 und Möglichkeiten des Nachbaus,“ in SAIM, Beiheft 12, Michaelstein/Blankenburg, 1992, S. 47
Phillip T. Young , 4900 Historical Woodwind Instruments, London 1993,
William Waterhouse, The New Langwill Index, London 1993, ISBN 0-946113-04-1)