Cymbalom in Gypsy Orchestra I [Real Audio]
Cymbalom in Gypsy Orchestra II [Real Audio]
The "Cimbalom", musical instrument of the Hungarian Gypsies, may be tracked back in history to the Orient and the Middle East. An early known instrument in Arabia was called the "Kannun" (or Qanun ), which was a musical sourdbox with metal or gut strings strung across one or two bridges. If was played by 'striking the strings with a pair of metal mallets. The early Asiatic Normads, especially the conquering invadors from Mongolia and China, and the roaming Gypsies from India, carried the instrument to all parts of Europe and Middle East.
One of the first modifications of the Kannun was the "Psaltery" which became extinct in history by later modifications invented by the people in the various countries of Europe. Sizes and shapes varied and the manner of playing Also changed. In Greece, Turkey, and Persia the "Santure" was developd, in Russia, we find the "Gusli", in Germeny, the "Hackbrett", in italy, the "Cemballo"; in England, the"Dulcimer", in Austria, the "Zither", and in Hungary and Romania the "Cimbalom". Most of these instruments are played with a pair of sticks or mallets, The Santure, the Gusli, and the Zither are:played by plucking the Strings, (pizzicatto), and resting instrument on players lap.
The largest of these instruments is the Cimbalom.(also cymbalom, cymbalium and czimbalum).
It is the national musical instrument of Hungary and
is used in the Classical and
Folk Music as frequently as Piano.
It was first mentioned in Hungarian history about 720 A.D. In the 17th century it was performed for Emperor Ferdinand of Austria. In the 18th and 19th Century it competed with the new keyboard instruments, (Harpsichord and Clavichord}, for popularity in middle Europe. In the middle of the last century it was complained that insufficient Cimbatoms were produced to meet the demands of the times. In 1890 the Cimbalom was nationalized as the instrument of Hungary. By 1897 it was added to the curriculum of the Budapest Academy of Music.
The Cimbalom may be described as a 125 stringed instrument on a soundbox, mounted on removable legs. Its tone is a cross between the piano and the Harp with a range of 4.5 to 5 octaves. The musician creates tones by striking the strings with 8-inch long wooden or metal mallets. It is played with two carved wooden sticks about 8 inches long with the striking end wrapped with cotton, wool or leather creating sounds that range from bright to very soft or the tips of the mallets can be left bare, creating a sound similar to that of a banjo .Two damper bars and a foot pedal help to control the sounding vibrations of the Cimbalom. The Instrument stands about 3 feet high on its removable legs and weighs about 150 to 175 pounds. The strings are like piano wires but cusom made to fit the instrument. Music from classical to gypsy and jazz to rock can be played on the cimbalom.
The instruments have 4-1/2 to 5 octaves, a clear treble and strong bass. The musician creates tones by striking the strings with 8-inch long wooden or metal mallets. The tips of the mallets
can be left bare, creating a sound similar to that of a banjo, or they can be covered with varying thicknesses of cotton, creating
sounds that range from bright to very soft. Damper bars and a foot pedal moderate the vibrations. Music from classical to
gypsy and jazz to rock can be played on the cimbalom.
[Information provided by Ms. Marlene Somsak, daughter of Bela Somsak, Maker of Cimbaloms & a Cimbalomist ]