Gusli

[Olga]

Gusli

The gusli is one of the oldest musical instruments that have played an important role in the Russian music culture. The Greek historians Theofilact and Theophan were the first to mention the gusli: Under the war in the end of the 6th Century, the Greeks took Slavonic prisoners and found a musical instrument named the gusli. This corresponds to what the Arabic authors Al-Masudi and Ibn-Dasta told in the 10th Century.

[Olga]

In the slavonic publications, you find descriptions of the Russian folkinstrument the gusli in the beginning of the 12th - 13th Century. The instrument is described as an easy 5 stringed box made of wood. These strings were tuned like this: A, C, E, G, A. It was played like this: the strings that were not to be used were muted with the left hand, and a playstick was placed in the right hand. The playstick was used to press the rest of the open strings. The gusli was only used as accompaniment to the song and especially to the travelling scalds who used their songs to tell about the antiquity and to praise the princes and their relations. Little by little, more strings were put on the gusli - 10 then 13 - and the way of playing was changed. You began to use the harp method.

Gusli Novgorod

Gusli

[Olga]

In the 18th Century, guslis standing on legs were built in Saint Peterburg. Later, the number of strings were increased with up to 3-4 octaves with cromatic tuning. The gusli has its zenith in the 18th - 19th Century. The instrument is to be found in many homes and it is used at rehearsals of church choirs. There are several very good performers. The most famous among them were the gusli players Manjkovskij and Trutovskij who was playing at the Royal Court. Furthermore, there are schools for gusli music. In the last part of the 19th Century, the gusli music is replaced by pianos.

Gusli

[Olga]

Shlemovidnye gusli (Helmet-shaped gusli): the musician held this instrument on his knees, so that strings were horizontal, resonator body under them. He uses his left hand to mute unnecessary strings and thus forming chords, while passing all the strings with his right hand. The instrument was spread in southern and western regions of Kievan Rus’.

Gusli

[Olga]

Krylovidnye gusli (Wing-shaped gusli): this instrument was much smaller, had more resemblance to Scandinavian harps, was held much more like modern guitars (although strings were still muted by the left hand through a special opening in the instrument's body). This modification was more prelevant in northern parts of Russia, especially Novgorod and Pskov

Gusli

[Olga]

Musical composition "Legend"

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPjfVdkG584" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPjfVdkG584</a>