Blog (22)

The Organistrum is always depicted in instrumental groups either related to the parade of King David (Old Testament) or to the group of the 24 elders of the Apocalypse (New Testament). The characters are in full robes, except for one of the two musicians from …

The Organistrum is depicted in a dozen works of art of the 12th century, it is rarely mentioned in contemporary written sources and disappears at the beginning of the 13th century. Despite the brevity of its life, this instrument boasts a prominent role within the…

Questo libro ha richiesto molto tempo per venire alla luce. Si tratta della sintesi d' una ricerca durata almeno 10 anni, spaziando per i campi di Organologia, Musicologia, Iconografia musicale, Simbologia, raccogliendo ogni elemento utile a spiegare l'enigma di questo strumento poco raffigurato, usato per…

This famous image comes from Gerbert's pubblication entitled: De cantu et musica sacra, written in the 18th century. The author copied a drawing from a 13th century manuscript, now lost. It is considered the most important written source regarding the instrument called Organistrum : it…

POLYPHONIC SYMPHONIA The idea of a polyphonic keyboard on wheel instruments derives from my studies about 12th century Organistrum. ( https://www.liuteriaseverini.it/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=42:inquiry-into-a-troubling-problem-of-interpretation-analysis-of-possible-solutions&Itemid=1014 The three strings are tuned to the same pitch (C), eight tangents being distributed among them: two on the first string, three on the…

I got two pieces from the same plank of Fir The first one to be front-carved the usual way. I cut a slice to be used as the sound board at the end. The second one, upside-down, to be back-carved. I cut a slice to…

Symphonia / Organistrum keyboard in Santiago de Compostela cathedral. (Inquiry into a troubling problem of interpretation. Analysis of possible solutions.) FOREWORD In former articles, I wrote both about different aspects of this problem and discussed practical means to build an acceptable replica of the instrument.…

Symphonia / Organistrum della cattedrale di Santiagio de Compostela DIVISIONE E FUNZIONAMENTO DELLA TASTIERA (Indagine su un caso di difficile interpretazione e analisi delle soluzioni possibili.) PREMESSA In precedenti articoli ho presentato diversi aspetti della ricerca su questo problema, nonché soluzioni pratiche per la ricostruzione…