Latvia. National musical instruments

On April 11, 2014, the Latvian Post within the framework of the joint issue of international program"EUROPA" puts into circulation two stamps on the theme "National musical instruments" - bagpipes and kokle (psaltery). The release artist is Lily Dinere.

Gusli (kuōkle) is a national Latvian plucked musical instrument that can be used to play both folk melodies and classical works. . By design, they are similar to the Lithuanian kankles, Russian gusli, Estonian kantele and Karelian-Finnish kantele. The first written information about this instrument appeared in the 15th century. They were made from 20-year-old wood. To create a professional kokle, only maple is used. The harp has a hollow trapezoidal shape with a thin wooden deck. Wooden tuning pegs are mounted at the wide end of the body, while the narrow end is a metal rod on which the strings are attached. For strings, animal guts, vegetable fibers can be used. Traditionally, there were 6-9 strings on the kokle, over time their number increased to 10.

Bagpipes (dūdas) - a wind musical instrument, one of the many varieties of bagpipes. The peak of popularity in Latvia fell on the 16th-18th centuries. The fur is based on badger, goat or calf skin or animal bladder with several tubes (playing and for pumping air), which are inflated by the performer himself or used as an air reservoir. Usually one of these pipes is used to play a melody, it is played by pinching the playing holes with the fingers; each of the other accompanying pipes ("bourdons") produces only one tone. The bagpipe was often played at merry celebrations: weddings, market festivities. Most often, the piper played in the orchestra along with other musicians: violinists, clarinetists, etc.

Issue form: in sheets of 10 stamps (5 tete-beches) with decorated margins
The circulation of the Gusli brand is 54,000 copies.
Circulation of the brand bagpipes - 30 thousand copies

The denominations of the stamps are €0.78 and €1.71, which is equivalent to the cost of sending letters to EU countries in regular and priority class.

The First Day Cancellation will take place on April 11, 2014 in the postal center of Riga

Earlier, in 1991, the post office of the USSR in the series "folk musical instruments"

Coming soon!
Pre-orders for all materials of the issue are accepted by e-mail:

Musical instruments Latvia includes many instruments, but the main one is the kokle. Moreover, it is the oldest musical instrument in the Baltics. Besides, it's a national musical symbol the Latvian people. The canons of Latvian culture include the kokle as a musical instrument and the basics of playing the kokle.

Types of kokle

The oldest of all kokles is still preserved in the Latvian museum and it dates back to 1710. The aforementioned kokle was found in the vicinity of Durbe, in Liepaja County. In my own way appearance kokle come from the western part of the country and from the east. Accordingly, this is:

1. Kurzeme type
2. Latgalian type.

Those of the oldest Kurzeme kokles that have survived to this day resemble a boat in their appearance and shape. And the upper part of the musical instrument is decorated with an ornament.

Such ancient kokles have only 5 strings, which in ancient times were made using household intestines. But such samples have not reached us. Only koklé with metal strings have survived.

As for the Latgale kokles, they are distinguished by their large size, their shape resembles a trapezoid, and the lower plank is straight.

Kokle as a symbol of the Latvian people

Latvian musical instruments carry rich history this people.

For example, a valuable relic has been preserved in the museum. This is a kokle with 10 strings, Latgalian type. It was discovered in Dauvgalpill parish, Preili district. This kokle dates back to the 19th century.

In the museum, this kokle is the only copy with a carved wooden sculpture in the form of a woman's head. The body is carved from elm, and the sculpture itself from linden. The extension of the sound board ends in a wave-like contour, which is reminiscent of the bottom edge of a ladies' garment. And cut out on top five pointed star and 2 flowers.

Kokle is a kind of reminder of the traditional Latgale woodcarving, which was used to decorate not only sculptures, but also buildings and even crucifixes. The image of a kokle is associated with a sacred statue, reveals folk customs and traditions and demonstrates the originality of this region.

The musical instruments of Latvia are, first of all, the kokle. This instrument is a frequent guest in epics, fairy tales and legends. The Latashi people honor this instrument and speak of it very reverently. In the legends of Latvia, those people who play the kokle embody spiritual power.

And the kokle, which dates back to 1710, also bears its own legend. In winter, plague prevailed in Kurzeme and only 2 children remained alive in the Durbes parish. And the eldest of the surviving children seated the youngest on a kokle, as if on a sled, and drove through the snow towards the neighbor's house. This case shows how folk instrument kokle saved the precious lives of 2 children.

Kokle, which is in the museum's collection, was received as a gift from the Riga Latvian community at the very end of the 19th century.

Video: Playing the kokle

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