What instrument is this?

Grunfeld

I'm having a classical night in and then I see these things at 1:47 and on and off throughout because you can hardly bloody miss 'em!

Sort of like a cross between a guitar, a lute, and a telegraph pole.

What are they?

jdgm

At a guess I'd say some sort of (baroque) mandocello......?

historyisjunk

I think it's a Theorbo. Check out Lute Duo (they are excellent)

Grunfeld

Been listening to some Lute Duo videos -- good call.

And on spotting the hitherto unheard of theorbo.

I found this interesting in between the goofing about:

Dominic

Funny.......I love classical music especially Baroque music but I hate choral music,Gregorian chant, Plainsong,Lieder etc

NorthernGooner

Yep, deffo a Theorbo. It's like a baritone lute.

p90fool

I recently sold mine, though it didn't have quite the extended bass range of some;

http://i63.tinypic.com/2d8oyll.jpg

viz

p90fool said:

I recently sold mine, though it didn't have quite the extended bass range of some;

http://i63.tinypic.com/2d8oyll.jpg

Awesome instrument!



Good for you @Grunfeld ;;;for bucking the Christmas music trend!

I love Montiverdi’s Vespers, it’s so beautiful and ambitious and textured. Amazing when you think that Bach had not even come on the scene. 

If you want to dip into a more modern Vespers, try Rachmaninov’s Vespers, for voices only. It’s achingly beautiful. He pretended to try and stick to the liturgical, pious music demanded by the Russian orthodoxy but couldn’t help his romantic writing slipping into it throughout which got him into trouble. 

Unfortunately Youtube doesn’t have many good full recordings but there are some good snippets. If you can get the Best/Corydon or the Short/Tenebrae recording, do, they’re amazing. 

Grunfeld

viz said:

...try Rachmaninov’s Vespers.... the Short/Tenebrae recording

@viz ; Mad inspiration!

Just d/l'd the flac from the Tenebrae site.

While I was there I saw they're doing the Bach Mass in B minor in Oxford on 1st February next year and I'm trying to persuade my friend to come along.  Failing that I'll just go by myself.

And to round it off I've finally booked myself tickets to the ballet!  I've wanted to do this for ages, like years.  Now I'm sorted!  Took like, 5 minutes!  Again, don't know anyone else into it so bollocks to it, I'll go by myself!

Cheers!

Phil_aka_Pip

I'm going to see Messiah in Hereford cathedral next week

viz

Grunfeld said:

viz said:

...try Rachmaninov’s Vespers.... the Short/Tenebrae recording

@viz ; Mad inspiration!

Just d/l'd the flac from the Tenebrae site.

While I was there I saw they're doing the Bach Mass in B minor in Oxford on 1st February next year and I'm trying to persuade my friend to come along.  Failing that I'll just go by myself.

And to round it off I've finally booked myself tickets to the ballet!  I've wanted to do this for ages, like years.  Now I'm sorted!  Took like, 5 minutes!  Again, don't know anyone else into it so bollocks to it, I'll go by myself!

Cheers!

Awesome  

It’s quite a long piece and you don’t have to listen to it all in one go; if you want a bite sized chunk try no 5, the nunc dimittis: it has this lamenting see-saw slow rocking motion as the tenor solo expresses grief, then it builds up inexorably with the basses taking up the story, then the trebles start to climb up to one of the greatest climaxes ever, then BAM! - but that lasts for just a fleeting moment, followed by silence and then a series of clear bells sung by the upper voices, as the piece winds down again into the depths of sad prayer. Sublime.