The Trevor James 32CV-ROE is another excellent flute. This model is part of the Cantabile series (sometimes also known as "Chanson" in certain markets).
The Cantabile series goes a step beyond the Privilege and is considered an advanced or conservatory-level flute.
This CANTABILE series is designed for the serious flutist seeking an instrument that offers a more sophisticated sound and greater tonal flexibility. It's a very popular "step-up" instrument for students who have already reached a good level and are looking to explore more demanding repertoire.
As with the other models we've discussed, the "R" indicates it has open-hole keys. This is standard for flutes at this level, allowing for greater control over tone, intonation, and the ability to perform advanced fingerings.
The G key is slightly offset to provide a more comfortable and ergonomic left-hand posture, which benefits technique and reduces fatigue.
This E mechanism helps make the high E easier to produce, more stable, and more precisely in tune, especially in passages requiring a quick response in this register.
The most significant feature, which elevates the Cantabile above the Privilege, is the quality of its headjoint and the material of the rest of the instrument:
Here's the big difference! The Cantabile 32CV-ROE comes equipped with a full .958 sterling silver headjoint, known as Britannia Silver. This alloy has a higher percentage of pure silver than standard .925 sterling silver.
A higher purity silver headjoint, especially with the TJ Voce design (which is often hand-worked to optimize the embouchure cut), gives the flute an exceptionally warm, rich sound with great resonance, increased projection, and a much wider palette of tonal colors. It allows for superior musical expressiveness and remarkable ease of response.
Unlike the Virtuoso (32VV), which has a silver body and footjoint, the Cantabile 32CV maintains a silver-plated body and footjoint over nickel silver. This helps keep the price more accessible without compromising the sound quality of the headjoint, which is the most influential part of the tone.
The keys are silver-plated over nickel silver, and the pointed key arm design is not just aesthetic; it also provides greater key stability and a more precise pad seal, contributing to overall better mechanism function and durability.
As with all mid-to-high-range Trevor James models, high-quality pads (often Italian) are used to ensure a perfect seal and long lifespan.
Trevor James is known for the robustness of its instruments, designed to withstand intensive use and maintain their performance over time.
Cantabile flutes also benefit from final assembly and finishing in Trevor James's workshops in the UK, ensuring a high level of quality control.
It's ideal for advanced students who are pursuing intermediate and advanced levels and need a flute with greater tonal and responsive capabilities to tackle more complex repertoire and develop their musicality. It's also perfect for serious amateur musicians looking for a more "professional" sound for playing in amateur orchestras, bands, or for personal enjoyment, without needing to invest in a very high-priced solid silver professional flute.
In summary, the Trevor James Cantabile 32CV-ROE is a fantastic choice for those seeking an instrument with significantly improved sound and greater expressiveness thanks to its .958 silver headjoint, while maintaining a silver-plated body that makes it more affordable than fully silver models. It's a very competent and reliable instrument that will allow you to progress significantly on your musical journey.
