"a multitude of instruments to delight the soul" - Da Vinci's idea built at last.

by fulltimestudent 7 Replies latest social current

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  fulltimestudent

  In Leonardo da Vinci's A Codex Atlanticus, a 12-volume collection of his manuscripts and designs for everything from weaponry to flight, there is a design for a musical instrument, that is a sort of musical instrument that a modern interpreter suggests has the characteristics of a harpsichord, organ and the viola da gamba.

  No versions were ever built (tha twe know of)... until now. A Polish musician and instrument maker recently played a version of da Vinci's invention at the Academy of Music in the southern Polish city of Krakow.

  

  Whether you like the music or not, Slawomir Zubrzycki’s creation is a musical and mechanical work of art.

  Source: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/leonardo-da-vincis-wacky-piano-is-heard-for-the-first-time-after-500-years-20131118-2xpqs.html#ixzz2l1mmXC8k

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv3py3Ap8_Y#t=45
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  rip van winkle

  Me likey.
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  adamah

  Pretty cool video, as if Da Vinci was designing the world's-first string synthesizer?
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  glenster

  Sounds like a Yes concert.
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  88JM

  I was thrilled to be able to see portions of the Codex Atlanticus in Milan at the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie last year. Some may appear like crude drawings, but some are amazing "blueprints" almost. I would have loved to have seen "The Last Supper" which is in the refectory next door to the church (once used as a stable for the horses of Napoleons army apparently) unfortunately I went on the day of the week it was closed!
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  DATA-DOG

  Awesome!

  One of my favorite ancient invention that was re-created is an ancient Chinese clock. The plans were found and it was rebuilt. There was a documentary on it somewhere.. Anyway, it was awesome. It represented a house and had people on every floor. The people moved through windows on various floors from top to bottom. I believe that it told you the hour, date, year, and planetary positions. I wish I could find the documentary..

  DD
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  glenster

  Su Song's clocktower
  34:40
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qh6MK_XNIU
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Su_Song
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  jgnat

  When he holds a note, I hear violins. I wanted to see more of the instrument.

  http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2013/11/18/da_vinci_instrument_the_viola_organista_created_500_years_later_by_slawomir.html