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Cretan Lyra from Sir Arthur John Evans’s Diaries
English archaeologist and pioneer in the study of Aegean civilisation in the Bronze Age. He is the most famous for unearthing the palace of Knossos on the Greek island of Crete.
The traditional Cretan Lyra, in its original form, posed a challenge when it came to performing Western European Polyphony Music spanning various eras such as Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Modern. To bridge this musical divide and unlock new possibilities, two crucial aspects needed to be addressed:
The absence of the 4th, Low C string: A pivotal aspect for extending the tonal range of the instrument.
The interpretation techniques involving both hands, including bow techniques and left hand positions.
By addressing these fundamental gaps, the evolution of the traditional Cretan Lyra became possible, allowing it to venture into the realm of Classical music. These developments have paved the way for harmonious convergence between the traditional Cretan Lyra and the intricate compositions of Western European Polyphony Music.
