161 - Mandolin

STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, member of the lute family. It has four pairs of steel strings, tuned by mechanical heads, the so-called keys, like violins (G-re-la-mi). The body is pear-shaped and deep. The neck has 17 frets and is slightly raised. The strings are secured at the edge of the instrument. At its widest part, the soundboard is inclined downwards, thereby increasing the pressure of the strings and producing a bright and strong sound color. Around the oval sound hole, a shell disk protects the wooden lid, in order to prevent it from getting damaged by the key. The first ever composition for mandolin is dated around 1650. Known compositions are a concerto by Vivaldi and a serenade by Mozart, included in the Don Giovanni opera. The mandolin, Italian and Western music in general were brought to 19th c. Gythio by the Italian director of the Gythio Philharmonic, Giocondo Moretti.

Donor: Diana Petrus