The cithara (kithára) is the wooden type of the Greek lyre, especially the large concert instruments.
The instrument heard in the following experimental soundings was reconstructed in a project of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
Several playing techniques |
Strumming with dampening, finger and plectrum plucking, harmonics.
Pronounced rhythmic playing |
The cithara accompanied group dances, too.
Invocation of the Muse |
Plucked accompaniment to a short "proem", transmitted together with melodies by Mesomedes (early 2nd cent. AD). Here and in the next piece, the vocal part exemplifies the ancient technique of apaídein.
Invocation of Calliope and Apollo |
Strummed and plucked accompaniment to a short "proem", transmitted together with melodies by Mesomedes (early 2nd cent. AD).
© Stefan Hagel, 2006. All rights reserved.