symphonia

musical instrument

Learn about this topic in these articles:

comparison with organistrum

  • Hurdy-gurdy played by a French lady of fashion, 18th century
    In hurdy-gurdy

    Secular, one-man forms, called symphonia, appeared in the 13th century. It was fashionable during the reign of Louis XIV as the vielle à roue (“wheel fiddle”) and was played into the 20th century by folk and street musicians, notably in France and eastern Europe. The Swedish nyckelharpa is a…

    Read More