Zither(German: Zither) is a stringed plucked musical instrument that was most widely used in Austria and Germany in the 18th century. It has a flat wooden body of irregular shape, on top of which from 17 to 45 strings are stretched (depending on the size of the instrument). Several strings closest to the performer (usually 4-5), stretched over a fingerboard with metal frets, are plucked by a plectrum worn on the thumb of the right hand, and a melody is played on them. The remaining strings serve as chordal accompaniment, they are played with the rest of the fingers.

The word zither is one of several names for musical instruments derived from the name of the ancient Greek plucked instrument cithara (ancient Greek κιθάρα, Latin cithara).

There are different types of zithers: treble zither, bass zither, concert zither, etc. The total volume of the group is from the salt of the counteroctave to the re of the fourth octave. Zither is most often the soloist in orchestral works.

Zither has been known in Western Europe since the end of the 18th century; it appeared in Russia in the second half of the 19th century. Similar instruments of ancient origin are found among many peoples. So, zithers were common in China and the Middle East.

Hugo Kaufman. Zither player.

Variations on Pachelbel's Canon

Vivaldi - Largo

Zither Solo - Otto Erbes Romanze in A-Dur

Basic information

(German Zither) - which was most widespread in Austria and Germany in the 18th century.

It has a flat wooden body of irregular shape, on top of which from 30 to 45 strings are stretched (depending on the size of the instrument). Several strings closest to the performer (usually 4-5), stretched over a fingerboard with metal frets, are plucked with a plectrum worn on the thumb of the right hand, and a melody is played on them. The remaining strings serve as chordal accompaniment, they are played with the rest of the fingers.

If the zither is found in orchestral works, then most often it plays the role of a solo instrument.

Origin

Zither has been known in Western Europe since the end of the 18th century; it appeared in Russia in the second half of the 19th century. Similar instruments of ancient origin are found among many peoples. So, zithers were common in China and the Middle East.

Types of zithers

There are different types of citrus: treble zither, bass zither, concert zither, etc.

Group volume- from contra sol to re in the fourth octave.

Video: Zither on video + sound

Thanks to these videos, you can get acquainted with the instrument, watch the real game on it, listen to its sound, feel the specifics of the technique.

Seven years ago I made a post dedicated to the zither and its analogues, but at that time I collected only a few paintings, so in honor of today's International Music Day, I want to talk about the zither once again...

Zither (German: Zither) is a stringed plucked instrument that was most widely used in Austria and Germany in the 18th century. Zither is a relative of the harp and is very similar to the Russian gusli, it is called differently in different countries.
In Germany Die Zither, in France cistern, and in Italy four. The word "zither" is one of several names for musical instruments derived from the name of the ancient Greek plucked multi-stringed instrument cithara.
Similar instruments of ancient origin are found among many peoples. So, zithers were common in China and the Middle East. In the translation of the Bible into Russian, the ancient musical instruments kinnor and kiytaros (katros) are called zithers. Zither appeared in Russia in the second half of the 19th century, it was known in France and England, Hungary and Romania, Italy, and even across the ocean - in the United States. Citra has been known for a long time. Already in the 16th century, the zither was the second most popular musical instrument after the lute. But it received its second birth in the 18th century, when it was almost simultaneously improved by two different, unfamiliar masters - German - Simon and Austrian - Kindl. By this time, the heyday of the zither, which was played with pleasure by both crowned persons and ordinary people, dates back to this time.
The zither has an irregularly shaped flat wooden body with 17 to 45 strings strung over it (depending on the size of the instrument). Several strings closest to the performer (usually 4-5), stretched over a fingerboard with metal frets, are plucked with a plectrum worn on the thumb of the right hand, and a melody is played on them. The remaining strings serve as chordal accompaniment, they are played with the rest of the fingers.

Emil Rau (German, 1858-1937) The Zitherplayer. 1890

Emil Rau (German, 1858-1937) The Zitherplayer.

Emil Rau (German, 1858-1937) Zither Player in an Alpcottage.

Ludwig Vollmar (German, 1842-1884) The Young Zither Player.

Hugo Wilhelm Kauffman (German, 1844-1915) The Zither Player.

Rudolf Epp (German, 1834-1910) The Zither Player.

Carl Zewy (Austrian, 1855-1929) The Zither Player.

Jenő György Remsey (Hungarian, 1885-1980) Concert.

Franz von Defregger (Austrian, 1835-1921) The Music Lesson.

Franz von Defregger (Austrian, 1835-1921) Familienidyll.

Franz von Defregger (Austrian, 1835-1921) The Zither Player.

Franz von Defregger (Austrian, 1835-1921) Zither spielen (Zither Playing). 1899

Hermann Kern (Austrian, 1838-1912) The cimbalom player.

Thomas Eakins (American, 1844-1916) Professionals at Rehearsal. 1883

Thomas Eakins (American, 1844-1916) The Zither Player 1876

Edwin Howland Blashfield (American, 1848–1936) The Musician. 1874

The section is very easy to use. In the proposed field, just enter the desired word, and we will give you a list of its meanings. I would like to note that our site provides data from various sources - encyclopedic, explanatory, word-building dictionaries. Here you can also get acquainted with examples of the use of the word you entered.

The meaning of the word zither

zither in the crossword dictionary

Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, Vladimir Dal

zither

and. a musical instrument similar to a guitar with metal strings. Citrine, citrine, related to it.

Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. D.N. Ushakov

zither

citrus, w. (German Zither from Greek kithara). A musical instrument in the form of a triangular box with strings stretched over it, which are driven by a pluck or special thimbles.

Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova.

zither

Y, ace. A small plucked musical instrument, usually in the form of a figured box with strings.

New explanatory and derivational dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova.

zither

and. A stringed plucked musical instrument in the form of a flat triangular box with strings stretched over it, which are actuated by a pluck or special thimbles.

Encyclopedic Dictionary, 1998

zither

ZITRA (German: Zither) is a stringed plucked musical instrument that was most widely used in Austria and Germany in the 19th century. The strings (up to 40 in some varieties) are strung over the neck and off the neck over the soundboard. Similar instruments of ancient origin are found among many peoples.

Zither

(German Zither, from Greek kithára ≈ kithara), a stringed plucked musical instrument. It has a flat wooden body of irregular shape: two sides of the deck, long and short, form a right angle; convex and concave sides lie opposite them. Along the long straight side there is a fingerboard with frets, over which 4-5 metal strings are stretched, plucked with a plectrum worn on the thumb of the right hand; outside the fingerboard there are 24≈39 gut strings, they are played with the rest of the fingers of the right hand. Known in Western Europe since the end of the 18th century, it was especially widespread in Germany and Austria in the 19th century, and appeared in Russia in the second half of the 19th century.

Lit .: Iodko V., Citra. Brief historical essay and description of the instrument, M., 1914; Modr A., ​​Musical instruments, M., 1959, p. 56≈58; Brandlmeier J., Handbuch der Zither, Münch., .

Wikipedia

Zither

Zither- a stringed plucked musical instrument, most widely used in Austria and Germany in the 18th century. It has a flat wooden body of irregular shape, on top of which from 17 to 45 strings are stretched, stretched over a fingerboard with metal frets, plucked with a plectrum worn on the thumb of the right hand, a melody is played on them. The remaining strings serve as chordal accompaniment, they are played with the rest of the fingers.

Word zither is one of several musical instrument names derived from the name of an ancient Greek plucked instrument cithara .

There are different types of zithers: treble zither, bass zither, concert zither, etc. The total volume of the group is from the salt of the counteroctave to the re of the fourth octave. Zither is most often the soloist in orchestral works.

Zither has been known in Western Europe since the end of the 18th century; it appeared in Russia in the second half of the 19th century. Similar instruments of ancient origin are found among many peoples. So, zithers were common in China and the Middle East. In the translation of the Bible into Russian, the ancient musical instruments kinnor and kiytaros (katros) are called zithers.

Examples of the use of the word zither in the literature.

On every corner, where there was not an acrobat or a juggler - whose skill would hardly have bothered Tom or the Shavan brothers - musicians played, some with a bittern, some with a flute or zither.

And in fact, a child with a dog and with a cheerful old Greek fisherman, who appeared out of nowhere with zither in hand, now stood opposite the fake panorama of the Dodecanese - the sea at sunset - and the boy sang.

And David commanded the chiefs of the Levites to set up his brethren, singers, with musical instruments, with psalters, and zithers and cymbals, that they might loudly proclaim the voice of joy.

Maybe I would be told that it was difficult to find another woman who could play the lute, but Lady Higashi, who plays the role of Lady Murasaki, is also not very skilled in playing the lute. zither, she only recently learned to play it.

Approaching closer, he saw the reflections of flames dancing on the windowpanes of the few houses that bordered the street: a good dozen torches floated in the hands of pages and footmen, and immediately an orchestra of twenty-four musicians, under the direction of a frantically gesticulating Italian, played with some fury on violas, psalterions, zither, three-string violins, trumpets and drums.

The sovereign played the lute, sovereign Kameyama - on zither, court palace Kimmori - in small Japanese zither, the princess, pupil of Lady Omiyain, also played the zither, Kinhira, son of the Dainagon Saionji, on the harmonica, Kaneyuki on the flute.

He danced excellently, rode gallantly and swam excellently, carpenter, sharpened, glued, bound, cut out silhouettes, painted a bouquet of flowers in watercolor or Napoleon in profile in an azure uniform, played with feeling zither, knew many tricks, card and others, and had decent information in mechanics, physics and chemistry, but everything in moderation.

At almost any hour, in the parking lot or on the move, a melody of violin and flute, cymbals, zithers and drums - now playing along with each other, then playing by themselves.

Pietro Crespi turned pale, zither one of the students and announced that the lesson was over.

And the king made of this mahogany stairs to the house of the Lord and to the house of the king, and zithers and psalters for singers.

Hidden behind the curtain, the slaves sang to the accompaniment of the lute, zithers, tanbur and flute.