The Gusli is a Russian instrument very similar to the Anglo-Saxon Lyre in function and purpose. One of the earliest specific mentions of the instrument is that it was played by the eleventh century court bard Boyan in "The Lay of the Host of Igor". Several instrument fragments have been found from the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and a few nearly complete instruments exist in collections from the fourteenth century. These fragments and extant examples show strings from five to eleven, common are five and nine, similar to a kantele. The instruments we build are based on these finds, especially the bird-headed large gusli and the five string 'slovisha' gusli from Novgorod.
We base our instruments on archaeological evidence, historical art and written documentation, but we do not replicate these instruments. Instead, we choose to take what we know from these sources and our own experience, mix in the imagination of the customer, occasionally add in a drop of technological magic, and create what a Gusli builder of this era would have created, a unique piece for his client. So drop us a message or give us a call. We promise, we won't charge to answer your questions.
'Slovisha' Style
One of the most famous
legends of Novgorod is the set of stories of the
medieval merchant-bard Sadko. Epic poems, songs
and stories about his life, his conflicts and victories,
focus on his creative cunning, often involving
music. This example is based on an instrument
shrouded in mystery because of it's simplicity. It
had but one ornament, the carving of the word 'Slovisha'
on the side. This means 'nightingale', but the
meaning was unclear. Was this a reference to the
guslar's voice? Or just an affectionate label for
a sweet sounding instrument? Or maybe a gift for someone
extremely special? It is unknown. This is a
quiet lap gusli, it's lack of volume has to do with the
fact that the ears for the string bar (this assembly
acts like a bridge in this kind of psaltry) are one with
the soundboard, and they are directly over the edges of
the body. In most instruments the soundboard
vibrates most right at the feet of the bridge, but when
that point is imobilized by glue and nails there is a
significant drop in sound. But when this
instrument is laid upon a resonant surface like a desk
or a wall, it acts as a large bridge and the voice is
incredible. This kind of Gusli was used in
religious ceremonies where the instrument was played on
an alter table, or used for courting, playing music
using the walls of a home as the sounding board.
This
larger instrument may have been originally strung in
gut or horsehair, but it became quite popular strung
with brass and bronze strings. This is a larger,
and much louder instrument, owing to the fact that the
stringbar holders now fit into windows on the
unsupported area of the soundboard, allowing much more
free vibration. This is quite the powerful
instrument, fitting a large voice.