Unusual music

Unusual music on an unusual instrument played by an unusual artist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...=RDSFFmSrKbCAw

The music wasn't unusual. It's a Nicolò Paganini (1782-1840) piece played primarily on a variation of a hammered dulcimer using cloth wrapped hard hammers (gives a sound somewhere bettween hard and soft hammers). Here is a link for how the piece sounds on a violin (the principle instrument it was written for) and guitar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsaiT3EOnno

I also saw at least two other hammered dulcimers in that performance. Hammered dulcimers are fairly common (they are almost a staple at folkmusic and Renaissance festivals here in the U.S.) and have many variations. the principle dulcimer in the video had a damper pedal for damping the strings, much like a piano has, something I haven't seen before (which only means I haven't seen it before).

The performer, on the other hand, was extremely unusual, even with physical appearance notwithstanding. I loved watching his facial expressions! That was the best part of the performance!

I think the performer is a gipsy, but I am not certain. Here is his wife singing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7VG0KZJbuM&feature=player_detailpage&list=RDSFFmSrKbCAw