Lutist and harpist
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Gildan
The lute is a stringed instrument that has an unmistakable curved back, and is the European counterpart to the oud. Both instruments share the same ancestry and both names are derived from the Arabic word for wood. It first became popular in Europe in the Medieval era and was used commonly as either a solo instrument or to accompany a singer.
The most renowned composer for the instrument in England was John Dowland (1563-1626) who could be described as the Morrissey of his day, with a predilection for compositions somewhat on the melancholy side. Below is a sublime interpretation of In Darkness Let Me Dwell. It starts "In darkness let me dwell; the ground shall sorrow be,
The roof despair, to bar all cheerful light from me," and becomes progressively more morose.
The most renowned composer for the instrument in England was John Dowland (1563-1626) who could be described as the Morrissey of his day, with a predilection for compositions somewhat on the melancholy side. Below is a sublime interpretation of In Darkness Let Me Dwell. It starts "In darkness let me dwell; the ground shall sorrow be,
The roof despair, to bar all cheerful light from me," and becomes progressively more morose.
Other compositions of note include "Come, Heavy Sleep", "Flow My Tears", and "I Saw My Lady Weepe". Not what you'd call party music then?
The harp is an instrument of great antiquity, and dates back as far as 2800 B.C. in Mesopotamia. Closer to home it has been found on 8th century Pictish stone carvings in Scotland, where it is known as the clarsach in Scottish Gaelic. In Ireland, where its' gaelic name is the clairseach, it has been used as a national symbol since the 6th century and has appeared on the country's coinage since 1542.
The instrument has prestigeous associations, and harpists were often retained by clan chiefs, and in medieval Scandinavia commoners found playing the harp were sentenced to death.