The Cithara

The cithara (kithára) is the wooden type of the Greek lyre, especially the large concert instruments.

Sound examples:

The instrument heard in the following experimental soundings was reconstructed in a project of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.

Several playing techniques

Strumming with dampening, finger and plectrum plucking, harmonics.

Pronounced rhythmic playing

The cithara accompanied group dances, too.

Invocation of the Muse

Plucked accompaniment to a short "proem", transmitted together with melodies by Mesomedes (early 2nd cent. AD). Here and in the next piece, the vocal part exemplifies the ancient technique of apaídein.

Invocation of Calliope and Apollo

Strummed and plucked accompaniment to a short "proem", transmitted together with melodies by Mesomedes (early 2nd cent. AD).


© Stefan Hagel, 2006. All rights reserved.