Basque Musical Instruments, a Rich Past and a Bright Future

MUSIKATRESNAK GURE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS OUR BASQUE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, A RICH PAST AND A BRIGHT FUTURE Euskal musika euskal kulturaren ardatzetariko bat da eta musikaren barruan, jakina denez, musika tresnek garrantzi handia dute. Euskal musika tradizionala eta bere tresnak bizirik diraute egungo gizartearen ohiko bizitzan eta batez ere ospakizunetan. Euskal musika tresnak gaur egungo garaietara egokitu dira, batez ere trikitixa. n spite of having their own similarity with other parts of Europe. In other words, the music special character, Basque music Musical similarities can be seen accompanying ancient traditional and instruments have enjoyed a between the western part of Euskal dances has changed very little, if any, long history of intermingling with Herria and Portugal, Ireland, Scotland over time, the dances still other musical cultures. The Way and Brittany, or between the eastern accompanied by simple “orchestras” Iof Saint James, which runs though the Basque Country and the music of Italy, (usually a single person playing the Basque region, brought other cultures Catalonia or Sardinia. txistu and the danbolin). In contrast, to the area and led to the exchange of Perhaps one of the most interesting the dances that have had more social rhythms and instruments. This is one types of music is that associated with exposure have evolved the most in of the many reasons why some types Basque dances, or euskal dantzak. The terms of the music itself as well as the of Basque music, rhythms and evolution of Basque music has instruments. Nevertheless, the instruments share a very close followed the same pace as the dances. traditional duos are still alive and well: 6 euskal etxeak the dultzaina and the atabal; the called the txirula-txuntxun, which trikitixa and the pandero… consists of a smaller flute from the same family and a long, thin psaltery TXISTU, A LONG-STANDING for rhythmic accompaniment. TRADITION. The trikitixa and the txistu The Basque enlightenment of the «Trikitixa eta txistua are two of the best known Basque eighteenth century was a cornerstone instruments. However, in recent years in the expansion of the txistu. With euskal musika tresna they have grown in opposite the Enlightenment in full swing, rural directions. The txistu has evolved while instruments in Provence were ezagunenak dira. Baina remaining faithful to its traditional introduced into aristocratic formula. The trikitixa, on the other environments. The close relationships azkeneko garaietan hand, has experienced a veritable between French encyclopedists and revolution, casting all the traditional the Sociedad Vascongada de Amigos kontrako bideak formulas aside. del País prompted some of the The txistu is accompanied by the society’s members to take interest in jarraitu dituzte.» danbolin. The combination consists of the phenomenon. Thus, the Conde de a one-handed, vertical nose flute with Peñaflorida, Ignacio Manuel Altuna, three holes, and a small closed drum and a number of others, including played with a single mallet. This duo musicians, went to work renovating is played throughout the Basque both the instruments and the songs, region, the only exception being in creating the instrumental duo we Zuberoa. Here we find a variation know today. euskal etxeak 7 MUSIKATRESNAK GURE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS But in the nineteenth century the musical purism to create a fusion of OUR txistu-danbolin duo was in a crisis. traditional and modern musical The social breakdown between liberals instruments, including electric bass, and conservatives drove the txistuto drums, sample rand others. Tapia ta be associated with conservatism and Leturia, Kepa Junkera, Alaitz eta later with nationalism. The resurgence Maider, Etzakit, Gozategi and Gose all «90. hamarkadaren began in 1928. That year the Euskal contributed to this change. Herriko Txistularien Elkartea was With this transformation the erdialdean jaiotako created in Arrate (Eibar), an trikitixa started being heard in new organization that has done much to places and environments. The sounds musika talde berriek, promote the interests of the txistu. of the trikitixa could now be heard on Today it is common to find city stages and at any virtually any soinu tradizionalak txistularis providing the musical dance hall or bar in Euskadi. accompaniment for the numerous Many musicians specializing in baztertu zituzten eta beste groups of euskal dantzak and this type of music, including Kepa performing in chamber concerts. Juntera and Maixa, are known musika tresna batzuekin around the world and now share TRIKITIXA, THE REVOLUTION OF billings with some of the top names nahastu zituzten.» TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS. The in international folk music. trikitixa is a diatonic accordion that is Traditional trikitixa music, on usually accompanied by a pandero, a which this new movement is founded, small hand-held drum much like a is still very much alive and thriving. tambourine but without metal jingles The new panorama has served to pack or bells. In very few years the trikitixa music schools, encourage instructors has experienced a huge revolution. to continue teaching the basics, and The new bands that came along in this way keep the sounds of this during the ‘90s decided to set aside traditional instrument alive. 8 euskal etxeak.

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