What is Armonica?
Armonica is a very unique type of crystallophone, a musical instrument that uses glass to create the desired sound. This instrument was extremely popular in the 17th and early 18th century before it experienced a significant decline; At the end of the 20th century, several musicians revived Armonica and performed various works on this amazing instrument to make people interested in it. You may be able to hear Armonica in your area, especially if you have an active historical society and several examples of Armonics can be seen on the display in museums. Instead of using one glass, however, Armonika or glass accordion includes the use of a series of nested glass bowls that were created in very specific sizes to generate the required tones. The bowls are mounted on the spindle, which is rotated by the engine or foot pedal, and the playing musical play Armonica by immersing the fingers in the water and their guide along the glasses.
the sound of ArmonikY is quite distinctive. Many people say it is very scary and essential, while others consider it a little grid and it is impossible to replicate with other tools. Several composers actually wrote pieces specifically for Armonika and for this interesting instrument, many other pieces were modified to show off their range of abilities. Mozart and Donizetti, among many others, wrote works for Armonics.
History of Armonica begins in Venice, the home of European glass. Over time, Venetian glassmakers called for extremely fine and decorated pieces of glass and fine glass in Europe was highly valued and very expensive. Already in the 16th century, people noted that when wet hands were ran over glass dishes, a clear sound was made and people were played for wine under 1700 years to create different amounts of water to create the desired playground.
When Benjamin Franklin heard such a performance in the sixties, he was inspired enough to try to think of a version that would be easier to play,And the result was Armonica. Its invention allows musicians to play up to 10 bowls on one and creates a very fresh, rich sound that cannot be made by just playing wine glasses. Franklin regularly performed at his Armonice and became a popular fad for a short time, especially in Germany.
The decline of Armonika is a little difficult to explain. In the 18th century, some people claimed that the instrument had made people mad at its intense sound, and historians suggested that this could have led to a decrease in the instrument. It is also difficult to sponsor concerts and other events. However, the instrument probably simply suffered from the fact that it is difficult to amplify. Armonica will be amazed by a regular orchestra and the sound is difficult to hear in the Great Concert Hall; The Armorica performances are usually best heard on a near range and do not lend well to the large concert halls of the 19th century.