Tenor Recorder in C 18th century () German Recorders were popular with both professional and aristocratic amateur players during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Baroque recorders, like the tenor seen here, were constructed of three detachable joints and had a brighter and more colorful sound than the Renaissance instruments. When enthusiasm for consort playing faded, soprano and alto recorders flourished as solo instruments until the demand for greater volume and expressivity led to a decline in popularity at the end of the eighteenth century.. Tenor Recorder in C. German. 18th century (). Wood, ivory, brass. Germany. Aerophone-Whistle Flute-recorder