Michael Atherton & Melismos #2

michaelathertonmusic.com
A realisation by Michael Atherton of surviving fragments of ancient Greek music. The performance is by Melismos (Michael Atherton, Philip South & Mina Kaniridis). Melismos was formed by Michael Atherton, Mina Kanaridis and Philip South to investigate the performance of ancient Greek music. The songs and instrumentals have been realised from surviving fragments by Michael Atherton and are performed on copies of original instruments. The 7-string lyre (kithara) was made by Harry Vatiliotis, Australia's master luthier. [Hymn]Invocation to the Muse.

Source: manuscript.
Translation: 'Sing for me, dear Muse, begin my tuneful strain; a breeze blow from your groves to stir my listless brain'. And,for the second melody,
translation: 'Skilful Calliope, leader of the delightful Muses, and you, skilful priest of our rites, son of Leto, Healer-god (paean) of Delos, be at my side'. (J. G. Landels).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• improvisation
• kithara
• voice
• ancient
• early
• experimental
• Melismos
• Classical
• Greek
• authentic
• instruments
• Australian
• music

[wellwellwellhello]

imagine this music being played at DIon at Mount Olympus. Wow!!! THAT WOULD BE SO EXCITING!!!

[654321654321]

great!

is very interesting to listen to this performances of ancient music.

thanks for sharing this videos.

[ElricMeln1]

I wish we had more of this beautiful ancient greek music..

[paolocristiano]

I wish to buy Aulos instrument on line but i dont know site online for get it,

please someone can help me ?

thanks

i wish you the best one only ...

Paolo

[windmaker21]

I agree 100% on that.

[oldturkeybuzzard]

me gusta!! que bellos que son los melismos!! siempre me fascino la historia del mundo antiguo, grecia, egipto, israel mesopotamia. esto es un gren regalo. pq estas canciones, quiza, se escucharon tbn por aquella epoca

[rakkav]

OTOH again, a melody having this tonal hierarchy seems to demand something much more precise and nuanced than just "blocked and strummed" chords. I assume Melismos uses the style it does for some very good reasons.

[rakkav]

The same is generally held true for the kithara's Semitic counterpart, the kinnor: left hand for stopping, right hand for strumming/picking. OTOH, young David also "played (the kinnor) with the hand" instrumentally.

[Klezfiddle1]

I have recently experimented in this "block and strum" lyre technique which you describe, in some of my more recent uploads on my own Youtube Channel - I find it great for improvisatory passages, & to mix with other styles, such as playing the tune with plectrum in the right hand (creating guitar tones), whilst plucking basic chords in the left (creating harp-like tones)

[Klezfiddle1]

If ONLY some of the Bodhran "players" I have had to endure at countless, dismal traditional Irish Music pub sessions which I have played at over the years, could play like HIM!!!!;o)