PSALTERY
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The psaltery family conforms a huge number of instruments with a common characteristic: they consist on a flat body without neck, and the strings disposed over it. This body design depends on model, historical period and cultural area.
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Also, it can also be played by plucking, bowing or even hammering the strings. With a persian origin, and descendant of an ancient zither, it spreaded through Europe during the Middle Age and was represented in carvings and paintings since the XII century.
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PSALTERY IN THE SANTIAGO CATHEDRAL
I have based this psaltery on the sculpture of the 10th elder of the Apocalypse in the Pórtico de la Gloria of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Spain, 12th century). The frame is made of Spanish walnut, with a cypress back and a spruce top with a wood and parchment rose. It is finished with oil and wax.
19 courses of brass strings.
SL: 120 to 450 mm.
Proposed tuning: diatonic, e to b''.
Price: €1,950.
19 courses of brass strings.
SL: 120 to 450 mm.
Proposed tuning: diatonic, e to b''.
Price: €1,950.
PSALTERY IN CANTIGA 290
This 16-string psaltery that I present here is based on the one that appears in the miniature of the Cantiga nº 290 of Sta. María de Alfonso X "The Wise" (1275) and is somewhat related to the Turkish qanun. Its unique stringing by groups of four strings suggests a tuning by chords.
The body is made of cherry, with spruce soundboard, boxwood pegs, and side rosettes made of parchment. It is finished with oil and wax.
SL: 450 to 640 mm.
Proposed tuning: chords C(c-f-g-c) - D(d-g-a-d') - G(g-c'-d'-g') - A(a-d'-e'-a')
Price: €1,950.
The body is made of cherry, with spruce soundboard, boxwood pegs, and side rosettes made of parchment. It is finished with oil and wax.
SL: 450 to 640 mm.
Proposed tuning: chords C(c-f-g-c) - D(d-g-a-d') - G(g-c'-d'-g') - A(a-d'-e'-a')
Price: €1,950.
PSALTERY IN CANTIGA 70
A design widely represented in diverse medieval iconography. In my own interpretation, I have opted for 15 triple courses.
The body is birch with a spruce top and roses made of maple and parchment. It is finished with oil and wax.
SL: 310 to 540 mm.
Proposed tuning: diatonic.
Price: €2,200.
The body is birch with a spruce top and roses made of maple and parchment. It is finished with oil and wax.
SL: 310 to 540 mm.
Proposed tuning: diatonic.
Price: €2,200.
PSALTERY IN CODEX MANESSE
Another design that became popular from the 14th C., very represented in painting iconography, and whose use extended beyond the 15th century in various sizes. Based on the representation that appears in the Codex Manesse (France, 1305-1340), I have designed this psalter of 24 double courses of brass.
Cherry frame and back. Spruce top with cherry and parchment rosettes. Finished with oil and wax.
SL: 150 - 450 mm.
Proposed tuning: diatonic, g to a''.
Price: €2,600.
Cherry frame and back. Spruce top with cherry and parchment rosettes. Finished with oil and wax.
SL: 150 - 450 mm.
Proposed tuning: diatonic, g to a''.
Price: €2,600.
