Cantigas de Santa Maria Symphonie

Original design based on illumination in 13th Century Spanish manuscript commissioned by Alfonso X "El Sabio." It is flamed maple and ebony. The soundboard is 125+ year old Douglas fir. The wheel is turned maple with a maple lamination around the outside where is "bows" the strings.

There are many examples of symphonies in paintings, frescoes, and illuminations dating from the 12th and 13th centuries. Many examples have shown up in Spain, but can also be found in Italian, French, and English art of that period. The symphonie's popularity was limited to the Catholic monestaries, cathedrals, and churches and was most often used to accompany the daily services, such as Matins, Lauds, Vespers, and Compline. It was not an "instrument of the people," as the vielle-a-roux (hurdy-gurdy), the symphonie's descendant, became to be known several hundred years later.

My Medeival Symphonie is based on one of the illuminations in The Cantigas de Santa Maria manuscripts, which were begun during the reign of Alfonso X "El Sabio" (1221-1284) and are one of the most extensive collections of medieval Hispanic verse and music. It comprises 420 narrative and lyric poems, almost all accompanied by music, in praise of the Virgin Mary. The Cantigas de Santa Maria illuminations are considered to be some of the finest and most important examples of medieval art.

The symphonie is a simplification of the large two-man organistrum used in 10th and 11th century religious services. One person turns the wheel, and the other operates keys which tilt or move horizontally to stop the strings.

Sold