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Wednesday, August 6, 2014

The ancient Hellenic kithara

I worked a 16 hour day yesterday, and I have to rush off for a similar day today, so this is going to be short. Today I would like to share a video of an recreated kithara being played in the Temple of Apollon at Delphi (or in front of a green screen, but whatever). Peter Pringle plays the instrument, and does so very beautifully. I am not allowed to place the video here, so click on the picture to be taken to youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSybPfaaHfs&feature=youtu.be
 
The kithara was an ancient Hellenic musical instrument in the lyre or lyra family. It was a professional version of the folkish two-stringed lyre. Musicians who played the kithara were called 'kitharodes'. The kithara's origins are likely Asiatic. The barbiton was a bass version of the kithara. In modern Greek the word kithara has come to mean 'guitar', making that the closest modern equivalent, although the sounds would be quite different. Enjoy!

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