It’s always a special moment when instruments are delivered to the players. As a maker you can only do so much, it only becomes complete when it is played by someone who really knows what to do.
The plan for the Trossingen Lyre project was to make two replica instruments. One model was intended for the collection of Museum Dorestad, the other would remain with me and become a demo piece at historical events and expositions.
I made two versions of the lyre; one how it must have looked when it was brand new, the other how it was put in the grave around 580 A.D. . The latter involved replicating a couple of repairs with little iron nails and replacing two ash pegs by models of hazel. We also decided to take the reconstruction a step further and even make our own gut strings (more on that later).
T
he process was followed by a couple of our friends, Spike and Ilja. Two fervent lyre players and active Merovingian musicians and storytellers. They bought one of my first lyres about two years ago. Ever since then we’ve been in contact. When Spike asked if he could buy the second Trossingen Lyre from me, I had to think for a moment. But I rather see an instruments in the hands of a good player who uses it, than hanging on a wall for decoration and occasional string plucking.
Today they came by to pick it up. A lot of people have asked for a soundsample of these lyres, so here are the first notes Spike played…
Knowing Spike and Ilja, more soundclips are sure to follow. I wish them a very good journey on a road filled with epic adventures and heroic songs!
The Dutch Luthier 