Medieval Musical Instruments

Renaissance man relishes Dunedin

"That's the way I feel, particularly about the Renaissance. It's impossible not to be fascinated by Elizabeth I and the whole history of Renaissance Europe but it's only since coming to Dunedin and meeting like-minded people here that I've been inspired to actually start groups.

"I found Dunedin is a very good place, a very creative place to start initiatives and people are willing to give things a go."

The Dunedin Medieval and Renaissance Society is putting on its annual midwinter concert, "The Triumph of Mars", in the Dunedin Public Art Gallery tomorrow.

On Saturday there will be workshops and demonstrations exploring aspects of medieval and Renaissance martial arts.

Raised in Australia but disillusioned by the Howard government, Cweorth came to Dunedin in 2001.

"There were some really disgraceful things happening with regard to the treatment of migrants and the whole approach to the refugee question.

"It exposed a side of Australian society that I hadn't really grown up with.

"I was used to the relatively sunny and outward-looking mood I'd grown up with in the 1970s but it had turned quite dark.

"I wasn't sure I wanted to be part of that society.

"I looked around and New Zealand looked like a healthier and more open society, so I thought I'd like to be part of that."

He took a Freedom Air flight to Dunedin, and stayed.

"I loved New Zealand and particularly loved Dunedin. I'd experienced growing up in Sydney, which is a big city, and also living in small country towns with a thousand people. I thought Dunedin was a really good balance with a strong cultural life like a big city but not as impersonal as a large metropolis."

He found Dunedin a creative place to start initiatives and find like-minded people willing to give things a go, he said.

"For a city this size there's an amazing variety of people around with different skills and interests that are quite unexpected - such as Yuri Terenyi who will be playing in the concert. Who would have expected a Hungarian bagpipe-maker with amazing expertise in early musical instruments and performing on them, and he's just living out there beyond Port Chalmers. Or the likes of Alan Edwards, who has built his own spinet and is currently building a portative organ.

accordion | A Look At Medieval Instruments - musical instruments

Music is the language of the soul. Through ages, music has been part of the lives of the people. Even during the Stone Age when the ancient people did not have the sophisticated instruments with them, they were still able to develop the music that bonded them together. As centuries go by, music has been utilized for many purposes. There have been music for war, music for victory, and music for defeat, among others. Among these periodical music, Medieval music is a point of interest, where Medieval instruments are the key topic.

Medieval music is written during the Middle Ages in Europe. Going back to the history, Medieval Era commences after the Fall of the Roman Empire and ends in the early 15th century, approximately. Gregorian Chant is considered as the most predominant type of earlier medieval period music. It is of a liturgical genre. There are other types of Medieval music that is not church-related, and with more complex sound arrangement compared to the usual monophonic style of Gregorian Chant. More than the music itself, Medieval period is known for the instruments that are still being used today. Among these instruments include lute, viol, rebec, hand drum, bagpipes, and organetto, to name a few.

Considered to be the one of the most esteemed medieval instruments during the Medieval Era, lute is contained in all the possible materials, accents, and accessories, such as tapestries, and wall hangings. According to records, the first lutes were made of wood, bone, ivory, and exotic woods. As a stringed instrument that is similar to guitar, lute is plucked using what they call a “plectrum” or using fingers.

Another medieval music instrument is the Viol, an instrument that is played using a bow. The Viol is usually held on the lap, or placed between the legs. This musical instrument is said to be similar to a modern day cello.

Another bowed instrument that is similar to a miniature violin is the Rebec. It is said that probably, this instrument is created to mimic the voice. Records say that the rebec came from Central Asia, and an instrument of the lower classes.

An example of a versatile medieval music instrument is a hand drum, used by the Irish and the Scots. The Irish and Scots also have bagpipes, used mainly for battles, but are used also in their quotidian living. Modern bagpipes present today, however, have more pieces to it. The pieces that will be included in the bagpipes vary depending on which country it originated from. Another popular instrument of the 13th thru 16th centuries is the organetto, which is said to be similar to a modern-day organ when it comes to sound. It is also said that probably, it is the inspiration for the accordion.

Handbook to life in the medieval world

Extant medieval musical instruments, a provisional catalogue by types

Listening to Western Music

A Performer's Guide to Medieval Music

Companion to Medieval and Renaissance Music