Epigonion

The Epigonion is a stringed instrument of ancient Greek civilization. It was named after the ancient musicians Epigonus of Ambracia from Epirus and is commonly seen as a variant of the lyre, and kithara. The 40 -string instrument is known today only from pictures. However, it has been possible to reconstruct such an instrument with a virtual computer program.

History

The harp -like instrument known only from ancient Greek vase paintings and antique descriptions forth as the description of Athenaeus ( p. 183c ) or the Polydeukos. Archaeological finds like kithara and lyra have not been made ​​. Juba II, King of Mauretania claimed that Epigonus Ambracia of the instrument brought from Alexandria: He plucked it with both hands and accompanied his own voice and a group of other instruments.

Structure and style of play

The instrument had 40 strings, otherwise resembled the lyre and kithara and corresponded most closely to the medieval Psalter.

The musician played the 40 -string Epigonion with both hands tugging as the Psalter or with the plectrum and underlined with gently plucked notes she is singing.

Reconstruction

2008 Francesco De Mattia had reconstructed from the Conservatorio di Musica in Salerno with its employees as part of the Ancient Instruments Sound / Timbre Reconstruction Application ( ASTRA ) project such an instrument in a virtual computer and calculated its sound. He also was based on psaltery and harp. The result was a four-part piece of music. For the calculation of hundreds had been to a grid linked mainframes.