ORGANISTRUM / SYMPHONY

The organistrum was an instrument that appeared in Europe in the 10th century (according to the texts) although it was not until the 12th century that the first iconographic evidence appeared. It was used exclusively to accompany the vocal organum and was used mainly in monastic circles to study and compose music. In the early days, the models were of considerable size, so they had to be played by two players: one turned the crank to make it sound, while the second handled the keyboard. Since the 13th century, its size was reduced, and it was now performed by a single person. Shortly after, the symphony appeared, an instrument highly valued in the court music of several European kingdoms during the Middle Ages. This maintained the same functioning of the organistrum, but with a rectangular box-like configuration that hid the keyboard and the wheel.

CASTELLANO

SYMPHONY

I offer a model based on different iconography from the 12th and 13th C.
​It has 2 melody strings (tuned in c') and 2 drones (tuned d'-g or d'-a).
The keyboard has a range of 1 octave and a half (19 keys). The instrument has adjustable nuts and an internal tailpiece with fine tuners.
It is decorated with 3 tetralobed roses, but other designs are possible upon request.
For historicist requirements, I offer a diatonic keyboard version with two alterations and pithagorean temperament.
String lengths: 380 / 410 mm.
Weight ± 2500 gr.

​Price: 1800 €

"Santa María Amar" CSM 7.
Lamia Yared (Chant), Efrén Lopez Sanz (Symfonia), Marie-Laurence Primeau (Gamba), Ziya Tabassian (Percussions), Nizar Tabcharani (Qanun).

CSM 100.
Emilio Villalba: symphonia.

ORGANISTRUM FROM "WELTENCHRONIK DES RUDOLF VON EMS" (1340)

Originally represented with 2 strings, probably tuned in fifths, I offer this individual organistrum model also with 3 strings, either inside the keyboard or with a drone added outside of it.
String length: 600mm.
Proposed tuning: g-c
Weight ± 1400 gr.

Price: €1800.