Melos Presents: Historical Instrument Minutes
The Vielle with Heather Schreiner
Melos instrumentalist Heather Schreiner discusses the “vielle”, or medieval fiddle, an ancient bowed stringed instrument appearing in medieval literature and stories. It was extremely popular with troubadours, in royal households, and even in the church. Vielles can be heard in Melos concerts accompanying other musicians. Have a look!
Video Music:
Porque ben Santa Maria, Cantiga 327, by Alfonso X El Sabio (1221-1284)
Further listening:
Ensemble PAN, Danse d’Abroz (vielle and lute): https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Ensemble PAN, J’ai mon cuer (2 vielles): https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Medieval dances played on vielle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Cantiga 100, Santa Maria Strela do Dia (Alfonso X El Sabio, 13 c), on vielle:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Jordi Savall playing 3 pieces: (Anon) Lamento; (Anon) Saltarello; (Alfonso el Sabio) Cantiga 353, Quen a omagen da Virgen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Sources:
David Munrow: Instruments of the Middle Ages and Renaissance
Ian Pittaway: https://earlymusicmuse.com/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Photo Sources:
Art photos: Public Domain from Wikipedia
Instrument photos by Heather Schreiner
Melos Rehearsal photo by Elizabeth Cohoe
The Harpsichord with Jeff Hamacher
Jeff Hamacher presents the harpsichord, a keyboard instrument at the center of music making in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The discussion includes information about its mechanical functioning and sound, particularly in contrast to the piano, as well as its musical role in performances of historical repertoire.
Presenter, Video Editor, and Historical Instrument Minutes Series Producer: Jeff Hamacher
Background music: J.S. Bach, Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier No. 21, Prelude and Fugue in Bb Major
Further Listening
J.S. Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
F. Couperin, Trois Leçons des Ténèbres
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
H. Aston, Hornepype
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Image Sources & Licenses
1 – A double-manual harpsichord by Ruckers 1646 (modified by Taskin 1780)
original image by Wikipedia user Gérard Janot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
image retrieved on 1 July 2020
Creative Commons License link
https://creativecommons.org/
2 – Detail of the mechanism of the Harpsichord by Christian Zell
original image by Wikipedia user Sguastevi
image retrieved on 1 July 2020
Creative Commons License link
https://creativecommons.org/
3 – Harpsichord jack and action
original image by Wikipedia user Njohan with modifications by Wikipedia user Jeff Dahl
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
image retrieved on 1 July 2020
Creative Commons License link
https://creativecommons.org/
4 – Early piano replica by the modern builder Paul McNulty, after Walter & Sohn, 1805
Original image by Paul McNulty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
image retrieved on 1 July 2020
Creative Commons License link
https://creativecommons.org/
5 – Grand piano action
Original image by Olek Remesz
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
image retrieved on 1 July 2020
Creative Commons License link
https://creativecommons.org/
6 – A double-manual harpsichord by Titus Crijnen in Holland, 2004
original image by Wikipedia user Aviad2001
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
image retrieved on 1 July 2020
Creative Commons License link
https://creativecommons.org/
7 – A harpsichord and double bass perform basso continuo for a small ensemble
Original image by Wikipedia user Nahefoto
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
image retrieved on 13 July 2020
Public domain
Baroque bassoon with Katie Legere
Video producer & editor: Katie Legere
Melos Historical Instrument Minutes series producer: Jeff Hamacher
- Portrait of Vivaldi from https://commons.
wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Antonio_Vivaldi_portrait.jpg - Excerpts from Vivaldi Concerto for bassoon in a minor RV498: https://musopen.org/
music/45471-concerto-for- bassoon-in-a-minor-rv-498/ - Baroque musicians painting from: https://commons.
wikimedia.org/wiki/File:R%C3% A9union_de_musiciens_by_Fran% C3%A7ois_Puget.jpg
Melos Presents: Historical Instrument Minutes
The Rebec with Heather Schreiner
Melos’ musicians are not performing these days, but we are still practicing. And we have a whole lot of cool instruments that no one has ever seen or heard of before. This is a rebec, an ancient bowed stringed instrument seen in some beautiful Medieval and Renaissance art. It was a very popular instrument for centuries, with its nasal tone–good for both church and dances. Have a look!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?