Craft Camp: Closing Concert
Because Craft Camp is sponsored by the Cultural Affairs faculty of the University of Tartu, the organizers invited some recent grads from the music department to entertain us at the closing banquet.
The Sinitrii trio had strings and a drum, each instrument ranging from the 12th Century to the year 2002.
The drum, the newest instrument, was made of metal and looked like flying saucer, about 60 cm (24 inches) in diameter. There was a hole in the centre of one side, where you'd expect to see the beam of light shine down, and this side had a rich bass tone. The topside had dimples spaced every five inches, and a large one at the top. Each dimple had a different dimension, and a different tone. The musician used his hands, sometimes brushing them, sometimes giving a quick light tap. At times it sounded like an electric piano, other times like an electric guitar. Yet it was, in effect, a steel drum.
The oldest instrument looked much like a cross between a boat paddle and a harp. It sat on the player’s lap, parallel to the floor (I.e., it was played on the lap). Most times the musician fingered each string individually, although she played her final song like a balalaika. The result, most times, was ethereal.
The third musician usually played a violin with rough broad sounds, more like a fiddle and not like a jig. New music sounded old, eternal. Sometimes she played a four stringed instrument that looked very Chinese to me, although she said it evolved into a lyre. It was rectangular overall, and the strings had no frets. The player put their hands between strings to change the note, and sound was made by dragging a bow above the sound hole, an entrance to the hollow rectangular box that gave the sound depth.
The songs were all composed by the trio, individually or collectively. It was new music that bridged the genres of jazz, folk and New Age. Overall, it was calming and invigorating at the same time.
Once I find the CD, I'll edit this post to give these talented musicians names. Right now, have confidence that they were wonderful.
Liina Langi has been knitting Haapsalu shawls for about five years; and has made 400.
Liina Langi demonstrates the test of a good knitter:
A perfect corner
The Sinitrii trio had strings and a drum, each instrument ranging from the 12th Century to the year 2002.
The drum, the newest instrument, was made of metal and looked like flying saucer, about 60 cm (24 inches) in diameter. There was a hole in the centre of one side, where you'd expect to see the beam of light shine down, and this side had a rich bass tone. The topside had dimples spaced every five inches, and a large one at the top. Each dimple had a different dimension, and a different tone. The musician used his hands, sometimes brushing them, sometimes giving a quick light tap. At times it sounded like an electric piano, other times like an electric guitar. Yet it was, in effect, a steel drum.
The oldest instrument looked much like a cross between a boat paddle and a harp. It sat on the player’s lap, parallel to the floor (I.e., it was played on the lap). Most times the musician fingered each string individually, although she played her final song like a balalaika. The result, most times, was ethereal.
The third musician usually played a violin with rough broad sounds, more like a fiddle and not like a jig. New music sounded old, eternal. Sometimes she played a four stringed instrument that looked very Chinese to me, although she said it evolved into a lyre. It was rectangular overall, and the strings had no frets. The player put their hands between strings to change the note, and sound was made by dragging a bow above the sound hole, an entrance to the hollow rectangular box that gave the sound depth.
The songs were all composed by the trio, individually or collectively. It was new music that bridged the genres of jazz, folk and New Age. Overall, it was calming and invigorating at the same time.
Once I find the CD, I'll edit this post to give these talented musicians names. Right now, have confidence that they were wonderful.
UFO drum being played by a street musician in Tallinn.
Some pictures of the grounds, and the Manor, where we had dinner:
The grounds are in the English Style, with expansive views and meandering waterways.
Each son was required to build a mounded cold storage house,
to ensure they knew the demands of physical labour.
Some pictures from today's workshop:
whether her Haapsalu shawl can be pulled through her wedding ring.
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