I really appreciate you posting this, I would like to learn more. This Harp is simular to a Harp that Sir Wooley dug up in Ur 100 years ago, He estimated that the Ur Harp was 3,000 years old. Currently in British Musem.
On this harp, the tradition is dying and I would like to get a copy of this clip while I can.
The harp excavated by Leonard Woolley is dated 2450 BCE. It was an arched harp, but the one played here is an angular harp, a type that was introduced only about 1900 BCE. If you visit The British Museum you find many angular harps shown in the Assyrian rooms. Most angular harps looked the same. The one here was based on a painting on a reliquare box dated ca. 600 CE found on the Silk Road (Bo Lawergren)
This IS a kugo. In other countries this harp had different names. In ancient China it was called konghou; in ancient Turkey it was the chang; in ancient Greece the trigonon. This type of harp was played widely in ancient Asia.
This harp is just about identical in form to Mesopotamian harps of high antiquity (Sumerian, Elamite) and not too far distant from some ancient Egyptian harps. I never knew that a harp of this kind survived so long, let alone that anyone made a replica of one. This is not only a beautiful, but a valuable recording!
The Sumerians did not know this type of harp but the the Elamites did. The angular harp died out about 1700 CE, and one of the last was shown in Istanbul. The instrument played here is a replica of an instrument played on the Silk Road, ca. 600 CE. (Bo Lawergren).
@klinte There are several East Asian harps that strongly resemble Mesopotamian harps of other types. They seem to have spread from Mesopotamia to China and as far as Cameroon to the west. The most widely-played of these is the adungu of the Baganda and Acholi peoples of Uganda.
I'm sure there is a lesson in there somewhere about how little difference there is in the human ability to create and appreciate art.
@leftysergeant well if anything i also believe there is a lesson on how connected many ancient civilizations were compared to modern beliefs, around the beginning of the 8th century most of the great civilizations across eurasia and northern africa were coming into direct (military) contact which also led to flourishing of new ideas and art. I believe that this instrument arrived (or at least became popular) in China at this time, (Tang) through the Tarim Basin, completely changing Chinese music
@TSarangLove there is a good book called "empires of the silk road" by christopher beckwith, and in parts of the 5th(i believe, maybe the 6th) chapter it talks about this cultural exchange into the T'ang dynasty through Central Asia. ample foot notes and references as well. this is a beautiful instrument and performance!
The harpist can tune it to any key she wants. She simply turns tuning keys. This replica has gut strings, but the Chinese kugo may have had silk strings -- but nothing survives. (Bo Lawergren)
Comment removed
submb 11 months ago
1 John 5:3
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
John6verse47 1 year ago
中国のんと比べるとなんか音が硬いなあ～
まあこっちは断絶があるししゃあないか
これから改良されていくことを期待
ashiwaraouji 1 year ago
This is very similar to "ceng", an old turkish instrument.
kpskfi 1 year ago
sounds like a koto
ibanezxiphos700 1 year ago
Wow !
acrovis 1 year ago
I really appreciate you posting this, I would like to learn more. This Harp is simular to a Harp that Sir Wooley dug up in Ur 100 years ago, He estimated that the Ur Harp was 3,000 years old. Currently in British Musem.
On this harp, the tradition is dying and I would like to get a copy of this clip while I can.
oldjoe9 2 years ago 3
The harp excavated by Leonard Woolley is dated 2450 BCE. It was an arched harp, but the one played here is an angular harp, a type that was introduced only about 1900 BCE. If you visit The British Museum you find many angular harps shown in the Assyrian rooms. Most angular harps looked the same. The one here was based on a painting on a reliquare box dated ca. 600 CE found on the Silk Road (Bo Lawergren)
klinte 2 years ago
Bo
I would like more information about the history of the Angular Harp.
Also if anyone has any information on who made this replica, I would like to know about it. Maybe see a photo of the painting that It was copied from.
If there is and feedback, I want to express my appreciation to the Harpest! That was good work learning to play.
Joe
oldjoe9 2 years ago 2
wow :O it is so beautiful
BlackJagwah 2 years ago 2
We are glad you like it.
klinte 2 years ago
Beautiful!
angelaharpist 2 years ago 2
This is excellent. Are there any videos of her playing on the Japanese kugo (ancient Japanese harp derived from the Chinese konghou)?
dbadagna 3 years ago 3
This IS a kugo. In other countries this harp had different names. In ancient China it was called konghou; in ancient Turkey it was the chang; in ancient Greece the trigonon. This type of harp was played widely in ancient Asia.
klinte 2 years ago
This harp is just about identical in form to Mesopotamian harps of high antiquity (Sumerian, Elamite) and not too far distant from some ancient Egyptian harps. I never knew that a harp of this kind survived so long, let alone that anyone made a replica of one. This is not only a beautiful, but a valuable recording!
rakkav 3 years ago 7
The Sumerians did not know this type of harp but the the Elamites did. The angular harp died out about 1700 CE, and one of the last was shown in Istanbul. The instrument played here is a replica of an instrument played on the Silk Road, ca. 600 CE. (Bo Lawergren).
klinte 2 years ago
Ah. Very useful. I double-checked with the photo of the famous artifact that I have and it is indeed an Elamite harp.
rakkav 2 years ago 2
@klinte There are several East Asian harps that strongly resemble Mesopotamian harps of other types. They seem to have spread from Mesopotamia to China and as far as Cameroon to the west. The most widely-played of these is the adungu of the Baganda and Acholi peoples of Uganda.
I'm sure there is a lesson in there somewhere about how little difference there is in the human ability to create and appreciate art.
leftysergeant 1 year ago
@leftysergeant well if anything i also believe there is a lesson on how connected many ancient civilizations were compared to modern beliefs, around the beginning of the 8th century most of the great civilizations across eurasia and northern africa were coming into direct (military) contact which also led to flourishing of new ideas and art. I believe that this instrument arrived (or at least became popular) in China at this time, (Tang) through the Tarim Basin, completely changing Chinese music
TSarangLove 1 year ago
@TSarangLove there is a good book called "empires of the silk road" by christopher beckwith, and in parts of the 5th(i believe, maybe the 6th) chapter it talks about this cultural exchange into the T'ang dynasty through Central Asia. ample foot notes and references as well. this is a beautiful instrument and performance!
TSarangLove 1 year ago
Comment removed
Tinkerbellskater 1 year ago
very interesting!
...in wich key is this harp normally tuned?
does it has gut strings?
thanks
Gealach74 3 years ago 6
The harpist can tune it to any key she wants. She simply turns tuning keys. This replica has gut strings, but the Chinese kugo may have had silk strings -- but nothing survives. (Bo Lawergren)
klinte 2 years ago
Really interesting! I had never seen that before! Thank you for posting!
angelaryssa 3 years ago 5
Thank you very much for the comments. I have just uploaded next Youtube. I would be happy if you find it.
Tomoko
tomokony 3 years ago 5
The music is wonderful and beautifully played.
dkwrites 3 years ago 5
Dear Andy, would you like me to post a longer video on the history of the angular harp?
klinte 3 years ago
Very nice sound indeed. Please make a larger music video about a piece of your music? kind regards
Andy
andylowings 3 years ago 3