Doc Rossi wrote: > On Dec 6, 2006, at 7:41 PM, Stuart Walsh wrote: > > >> One of the daftest things I've come across is this, on the bandurria: >> >> http://www.trioassai.com/bandufaqe.html#historia >> > > Wow, I just can't deal with the literal translation at this time. I > don't know whether Francisco Garcia Ruiz is on this list or not - > I'll write to him and see if he can enlighten us further on the > bandurria and other matters. > > >> Is there really a Corsican cittern tradition? Or is it more of an >> imaginary, romantic history? >> > > There are plenty of woodcuts featuring Corsican cittern players from > the 1800s, and of course the tablature of Stefano Allegrini, 1720. > Then there's this from James Boswell's Account of Corsica (1765?), > chapter 3: > > They are few of them who do not play upon the citra, an old Moorish > instrument, wich they are pleased to think the ancient cythara. It > has a sweet and romantic sound, and many of their airs are tender and > beautiful. > -- > > T
Very interesting. OK; there's a long cittern tradition in Corsica! I've googled Stefano Allegrini (Stefan Allegrini cittern; Stefano Allegrini tablature etc) and get nothing. Is this tablature discussed somewhere? So Boswell actually used the word 'citra'? I wonder if he had in mind the EG that he would have known from back home or was just translating the local name? It's interesting that he calls it an old Moorish instrument. I think Roland Ferrari mentions the 'guitar moresque' somewhere in his remarks on the Corsican cittern. There could be a website devoted to the claims that have been made about that (I think it is true to say) wholly mysterious instrument. But Corrette in 1772 says: 'Le cistre est aussi ancien que le Luth, il est trés commun en Turquie et en Allemagne...' God knows why. Stuart To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
