[NetBehaviour] Pithkiavlin (and thank you all re: Limassol, Furtherfield!)

[Alan Sondheim]

Pithkiavlin

https://youtu.be/uakT7N680Ek video!

I was in Limassol for an event at NeMe, talks, exhibition,
performance, by a number of artists, Furtherfield and
everything. We were there for about a week, maybe slightly
longer? I was interested in the music and musical instruments of
the area. I met someone who told me about the pithkiavlin, a
fipple flute endemic to Cyprus, and the only instrument endemic
among the wide variety of music and instruments on the island.
He said he knew someone, in his 90s, who was the last maker of
the traditional instrument and he'd inquire if I might purchase
one. He did, I did, and it was made to specifications based on
the average temperature and humidity of our place in Rhode
Island. The instrument came about a week later. It's made from
reed and clay, and the package included a fingering chart and
receipt, as well as a beautiful case. It's similar to the more
machine-made pithkiavlin, but this one is completely hand-made
and calibrated. I play that here, love the tone and the range.
I can't play traditionally, but honor the instrument to be sure.
I include the receipt and the fingering chart with this
submission.

One of the characteristics of this pithkiavlin is that there are
eight finger-holes, six on the front, an octave hole on the back
- and another hole, which is at the end. So you can also block
the instrument that way, at the end. There is clay surrounding
the finger holes, the fipple, and the end hole as well.

" Translation of the receipt - "I have received from Mr. Irineos
Koullouras from Limassol the amount of 60 euros for the sale of
an adroit classic pithkiavlin, tuned in C tonal, at 15 oC, of
6,1cm diameter." Note that temperature; the maker also asked for
the general humidity. " (I don't know what the 6.1cm references;
it doesn't align with any measurements I make on the instrument
itself.)

I love playing the pithkiavlin. Along with the receipt and case,
a fingering chart, for this particular instrument, was also
included. I take it "out" on occasion, weather and humidity
depending. I can't play it traditionally, but I can make music
on it. It was a perfect day, including a Corvette, in and on the
parking garage. The pithkiavlin resonated perfectly with the
architecture.

I want again to thank everyone in Limassol and Furtherfield as
well for an amazing experience; the pithkiavlin lives here,
plays as beautifully as ever.

___