ABSTRACT
The performing abilities of the Bassano family were not confined to the recorder. This chapter considers the other wind consorts they played in. Then the reorganization of the three wind consorts into a single group of wind players in the early seventeenth century and the Bassanos' participation in it are described. Finally other instruments the family played, including the lute and viol, are discussed. The first generation of the Bassano family in England, then, could presumably play all the instruments they made — cornett, crumhorn, flute, lute, recorder, shawm and viol — as well as sackbut. During Henry VII's reign both instruments the group played were mentioned in Court records. As in France, the Court flute consort may have used a sackbut as its bass instrument. As cornettists had traditionally belonged to the flute consort and sackbut players to the sackbut consort, the use of these instruments together cut across the demarcation lines of the Court places.
