Hungarian Heritage Review, 1987 (16. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1987-08-01 / 8. szám
^Hungarian ^IVrtő unb (Krafts HUNGARIAN FOLK MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, PAST AND PRESENT TEKEROLANT (Hurdy-Gurdy) Also called the nyenyere in Hungarian, its earliest references in Hungary are in the 16th century. When played, the strings are sounded by a rotating wooden disc and the melodic string is depressed by wooden keys. In the Szentes and Csongrad regions, the hurdy-gurdy still survives as a form of folk tradition, played in dances along with the clarinet. MEZOSEGI BRACSA (Viola of the Mezoseg) A traditional instrument of the orchestras of Mezoseg (central Transylvania), this version of the viola is played together with the violin and the cello. The three strings are tuned to a, d and g. All three strings are sounded simultaneously with one stroke of the bow which harmonizes with the violin and cello. This instrument is basically made and played by the herdsman who, by profession, had more time to experiment and perfect the art. They are usually made from chosen reeds and woods with lengths between 30cm to 100cm. The longer ‘Hosszi Furulya’ with five holes has a lower octave sound which the player hums and blows through. Most Furulya-Sips have six holes to fit the player’s fingers perfectly and when blown, produces crisp tunes across the Hungarian countryside around the 12th century onwards. —continued next page 28 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW AUGUST 1987
