10:09am, Monday 17 January 2005
Matthis Loiber presents pictures and sound clips of him playing a lira organizzata ("organized hurdy-gurdy"). The sound is quite unique, and the instrument is very flexible in terms of the combination of sounds. For example, when you stop turning the crank the pipes continue sounding for up to 20 seconds, which is a great way to change voices and demarcate repeated phrases.
Apparently there is an instrument like this in the Victoria and Albert museum in London. I'll have to take a trip to see it.