Classical Jew's Harp Music (MP3s)

I just rediscovered one of my long-lost pieces of talkover music - the Concerto for Jews Harp, by the Austrian composer Johann Georg Albrechstberger. From 1765 to 1771, Albrechstberger composed several concertos for Orchestra, Mandora (a lute-like instrument) and the Guimbarde, or what we now call the Jew's Harp. Albrechtsberger was initially inspired to compose these works by Austria's "music king," Joseph II who wrote enthusiastically about a Jew's Harp performance he heard in a monastery. Following these works, Albrechstberger went on to tutor a student named Ludwig van Beethoven in composition and counterpoint, and the Jew's Harp enjoyed a heyday in the courts of Europe at the start of the 19th century, with dozens of works written for the "Maultrommel," as it was known in Germany, the Crembalum (Latin), the Guimbarde (French) or the Italian "Aura."

Here are MP3s of two of Albrechstberger's Concertos for Jew's Harp, featuring Fritz Mayr on Jew's Harp, Dieter Kirsch on Mandora and the Munich Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Hans Stadlmair:

Concerto for Jew's Harp, Mandora and Orchestra in E Major

Tempo Moderato   |   Adagio   |   Finale - Tempo di Menuetto

Concerto for Jew's Harp, Mandora and Orchestra in F Major

Allegro Moderato   |   Andante   |   Menuetto - Moderato   |   Finale - Allegro Molto

For a completely different take on the Jew's Harp, check out Harvey Matusow's Jew's Harp Band.

Comments

[Marcus]

I love those tracks. Would it be possible to include one in my podcast? www.electricsoupkitchen.com. Are they Public Domain and what's the deal with stealing stuff from WFMU?
P.S I already have you in my links section, keep up the outstanding work!

[schlarb]

oh man. this made my day. i laughed an honest laugh for sure.

[Brent]

Where's the washboard and bathtub bass??

[Detroitsuperfly]

Thats as great as last years Rubber Band Christmas.

[B]

Good music, I don't find it funny. Nice usage of the traditional instrument.

[Elana]

Amazing!