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PANPIPES
The combined evidence of
the worldwide archaeological record, mythological references,
early literary works and oral traditions testifies to the fact
that the Panflute is one of the oldest musical instruments in the
world, having been in existence for more than 6000 years. The
precise origin of the Panflute is unclear, but the Roman poet
Publius Ovidius Naso provides a clue to this mystery in his poem,
Metamorphoses:
"Pan noticed the bed of reeds was swaying in the wind, making
a mournful moaning sound, for the wind had broken the tops of some
of the reeds. Pulling the reeds up, Pan cut them into pieces and
bound them together to create a musical instrument, which he named
"Syrinx", in memory of his lost love."
Evidence of the Romanian Panflute (nai) has been found from the
early 16th century, such as the booklet "The Teachings of King
Neagoe Basarab for his son Theodosios". For the next 300 years,
however, the Panflute in Romania was a rarity, used primarily in
rural areas among peasants, and it is for this reason the Panflute
remained obscure to the European composers and intellectuals of
the time. No more than 13 Romanian Panflute players (naists) were
known to exist in Bucharest )(Romania's capital city) in the year
1843, but in 1864 Prince Alexander John Cuza abolishes serfdom in
Romania, and many newly-liberated Panflute players began to appear
in urban areas throughout Romania, performing in various venues
and often attaining astonishing levels of technique. The Panflute
became popular at this time, occasionally even replacing the
violin as the favorite soloist instrument. The Panflute's stature
increased in Romania, culminating in a "golden age" for the
instrument during the period between the two world wars (1918 -
1939), though the actual number of panflutists during this time
was less than in the previous century. By 1945 no more than 16
Panflute players were known to exist in Romania, and the
instrument was once again fading into obscurity. The Panflute's
survival found a champion in Fanica Luca, whose musical
appearances include two world exhibitions during the late 1930's ,
as well as concert tours throughout Europe, the United States, and
the Middle East. Ironically, Fanica Luca was discouraged by his
uncle from pursuing his interest in the Panflute, but in 1949 he
founded a Panflute school which remained under his direction until
he died in 1968. Being mostly self-taught, Fanica Luca's work was
based more upon his knowledge of the Panflute gained by long years
of trial and error, rather than musical training in an academic
capacity. In spite of his lack of formal musical education, Fanica
Luca proved an exemplary teacher, whose students introduced the
Panflute to the modern Western world. Fanica Luca's students
include: Gheorghe Zamfir (the first panflutist to achieve
worldwide fame), Simion Stanciu (called "The Paganini of the
Panflute", the first panflutist to introduce the instrument to
classical music), and many others.
much
more about
"O&M" Panpipes
made by Ovidiu and Mimi
    
For further informations
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