Sumurun - by Helen Marshall (Nikos Apollonio Bell Cittern) - Dracapalley

http://www.nikosapollonio.com/

'Sumurun' is a piece inspired by a beautiful 94' yacht by the same name, built in 1914 in Fairlie, Ayrshire, Scotland. She has a pretty romantic history, too much to write here so please check out the website if interested: http://www.sumurun.com

My bell cittern was made by outstanding luthier (and boatbuilder), Nikos Apollonio. The English oak used to make it was offcuts from that used to refurbish Sumurun. So, in a sense the same cut of wood has breathed life into boat and cittern alike. Perhaps this makes them sisters... or half sisters!

It's a truly wonderful instrument; the oak is unusual and gives a massive and beautiful sustain that I've never heard on any stringed instrument of this size. Such a warm and rich tone, with a sumptuous Western red cedar top. I feel very priveledged to own something so precious. Thank you, Nikos.


Special thanks to Armin Fischer for kindly permitting me to reproduce photographs of Sumurun for this video.

Many thanks as well to Pascal Gademer 'SandBARhopper' and Naomi Sarasola http://www.youtube.com/user/SandBARhopper for so kindly allowing me to use both film footage of Sumurun and photographs in the fog. Particularly, thank you for getting these to me at such late notice and with break-neck speed, so that I may be able to upload in time still to dedicate this as a birthday present of sorts!

Happy Birthday, Nikos!
xxx

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Dracapalley
• Helen
• Marshall
• Sumurun
• Nikos
• Apollonio
• Bell
• Cittern

[bndeyo]

Helen!! Youre right about something screwy in the state of youtube !! here I am subscribed to you, and I didnt know about this video until just now!! OMG, how happy this makes me! its terrific, and so are you!

[Dracapalley]

@bndeyo Thanks Brian! Youtube is beyond weird. I still cannot view your vids in a chronocological order. And there I was, thinking you'd somehow slid off the face of the earth! Welcome back!! :0)

[gamesrmelife]

Beautiful As Always.

[Dracapalley]

@gamesrmelife Thank you

[ukejon]

Oh my! Absolutely stunning, Helen. One of the best instrumental videos I've seen this year. Great playing and great recording.

[Dracapalley]

@ukejon Wow! That's praise indeed!! Very appreciated

[ksowl]

your music makes my heart soar!

welcome back helen. you've been deeply missed.

[ShawDAMAN]

great story, great playing and composition! (where's the CD? or at least downloadable mp3's ;-o)

beautiful instrument, how is a bell cittern tuned? :) I could find no consensus on it with a cursory google search...

[AJShelden]

Delightfully lilting, and played with exuberant joy. Love the resonance of the instrument, too. Wow! ...and the boat is quite a "ketch" as well. :-)

[daddadpfc]

Helen, this is a stunning piece of playing. So sparkly and lively. and the rhythm is spot on. Well done once more.

[FBrigdon]

I hate that it has taken me so long to see this video. I, too, own one of Nick's bell citterns... This is a lovely tune!

[ShawDAMAN]

@DamianNixon a brilliant player. thanks :)

[SDG1750]

WOW!! this is amazing

[DamianNixon]

@ShawDAMAN Hey my friend....the same way a guitar is tuned, which is basically, any way ye like depending on your gauge of strings. Good player 'in' she??

[DamianNixon]

whisper us this,Helen...where do you get those crackin instruments Miss? ....Damian

[WhisperDoor]

Such a beautiful piece. I love the counterpoint at 3:39. I wait for it.

[fngrpkn06]

Simply awesome arrangement. Love the creative video.