Doc Rossi wrote: > I'm working on it! (and I don't think I'm alone) > > Thanks for bringing this up again, Pedro. I think where I part ways > with PCC on this subject is when he calls some 18-century Portuguese > citterns English guittars rather than Portuguese guitarras, and then > calls others Portuguese guitarras because they come from a popular > milieu. In other words, the latter instruments are really Portuguese, > the former seemingly not because they were influenced by the EG. > Where did the Renaissance cittern begin - if it did begin in one > place? Brescia? Did it begin in Portugal? If it didn't, was it > brought there? By whom? When? I think to draw some of the conclusions > that PCC does requires that these questions be addressed. Personally, > I'm not interested in such questions, at least not enough to do the > research myself. Chicken and egg questions would keep me awake at > night if I let them. > > Doc
I do agree with you, sometimes PCC's judgement on what an instrument should or shouldn't be called is rather strange and I sincerely don't know what predominant features does he look for to name them some thing over another nor do I think it matters, because, usually and in this case, it boils down to personal opinion on what makes an instrument what it is. At least until you can form a solid argument defending your stance. Chicken and egg questions bother me aswell because, although inevitable, sometimes you can't find a definite answer to them. Which bothers me even more. This, however, is what fuels people to do more research towards a more clear answer, and that's something I appreciate and value (but sometimes can't bother myself with because, like you, I find it nerve-wrecking and not of personal interest). Changing the subject to the English guitar, your reply left me wondering what progress are people making on its revival. Are luthiers and people in general being educated about it? Is new and old music being recorded and played? New instruments restored or discovered? Tell us more, we'll pleasantly listen :-) Regards To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
