The bladder pipe (German: Platerspiel or Blaterpfeife) is a medieval simplified bagpipe, consisting of an insufflation tube (blow pipe), a bladder (bag) and a chanter, sounded by a double reed, which is fitted into a reed seat at the top of the chanter. The reed, inside the inflated bladder, is sounded continuously, and cannot be tongued. Some bladder pipes were made with a single drone pipe, and reproductions are similar to a loud, continuous crumhorn. The chanter has an outside tenon, at the top, near the reed, which fits into a socket or stock, which is then tied into the bladder.
While the first creation of a double reed pipe with a bladder controlling breath is unknown, it is believed to have originated in Europe before the 13th century. As an intermediate phase between the almost pan-European bagpipe and the Renaissance crumhorn, the Bladder pipe flourished from the 14th to 16th centuries.[1]
Bladder pipe playing angel Frauenkirche, Memmingen, Germany about 1460
Examples have been found from Germany, Poland, England, France, Italy, Spain (called the odrecillo) and Estonia (called the rakkopilli).[2] As it declined in popularity, it became associated with beggars and peasants.[3]
The early bladder pipe is in a family of the early medieval "chorus" instruments, a word which in medieval Latin was frequently used also for the bagpipe. In the earliest illustrated forms of bladder pipe, such as the well-known example of the 13th century reproduced by Martin Gerbert from a manuscript at Sankt Blasien Abbey in the Black Forest, the bladder is unusually large, and the chanter (or melody pipe) has, instead of a bell, the carved head of an animal. At first the chanter was a straight conical tube terminating in a bell, as in the bagpipe. The later instruments have a pipe of larger calibre more or less curved and bent back as in the letter "J" as the crumhorn, tournebout, and cromorne. This curvature, coming from the shape of an animal horn, suggests the early crumhorn's development from a bladder pipe. One famous illustration of these bladder pipes appears in the 13th-century Spanish manuscript, known as the Cantigas de Santa Maria in the library of El Escorial in Madrid, together with a bladder pipe having two pipes, a chanter and a drone side by side. Another Platerspiel David is illustrated by Sebastian Virdung (1511).[4]
Other formsedit
There was practically no technical difference between the bent chanter of the bladder pipe and the cromorne, the only distinction being the form and size of the air-chamber, either the bladder or the wind-cap, in which the reed was set in vibration. The player blows air into the bladder through the insufflation tube, or through the raised, slit-shaped opening of the wind cap, placed against the player's lips. This earlier Italian form of bladder pipe is found illustrated at the end of the 15th century in the Book of Hours, known as the Sforza Book.[5]
The burgomeister and Death, showing Death with a bladder-pipe. From the Heidelberger Totentanz, c. 1488.
In literatureedit
An allusion to the bladder pipe occurs in an old English ballad:
Eight shepherds were playing on various instruments: "The fyrst hed ane drone bagpipe, the next hed ane pipe maid of ane bleddir and of ane reid, the third playit on ane trump."[4]
This excerpt suggests the early English bladder pipe retained a distinct form, and did not become merged with the bagpipe.[4]
^One type of early crumhorn has a ...lower end is made of animal horn, which may be traceable back to the structure of certain types of bagpipes, principally the bladder pipe... Laszlo Ujhazy. Acoustical Data on the Curve of the Crumhorn. Studia Musicologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, T. 24, Fasc. 1/2 (1982), pp. 233-245 The bladder pipe, an intermediate stage between the bagpipe and the crumhorn, dates from the 13th century. Richard Rastall. Review: Music of the Crusades by Early Music Consort of London, Munrow. The Musical Times, Vol. 113, No. 1549 (Mar., 1972), p. 275
^In 1967 the author of the present paper could get the description of a very archaic bagpipe from the Votians in Ingermanland, not far from the eastern borders of Estonia. The bag of the Votic bagpipe rakkopilli was made of a pig's bladder. It had no drone (see Engl. bladder pipe, Germ. Platerspiel). As the bagpipe is unknown east of the Votians, it is quite possible that the archaic Votic bagpipe comes from Estonia where it may once have existed -- Igor Tonurist. THE ESTONIAN BAGPIPE (1974). A Bladder pipe is shown painted in a Valencia church mural between 1598 and 1605. Greta J. Olson. Angel musicians, instruments and late- sixteenth-century Valencia. Music in Art: International Journal for Music Iconography XXVII/1-2 (2002), 46-67. During the fifteenth century the Italians made use of the bladder-pipe... Edmund A. Bowles. A Checklist of Musical Instruments in Fifteenth Century Illuminated Manuscripts at the British Museum. Notes, 2nd Ser., Vol. 29, No. 4 (Jun., 1973), pp. 694-703 ... the bladder-pipe (old Span. odrecillo) J. B. Trend. The Performance of Music in Spain. Proceedings of the Musical Association, 55th Sess., 1928 - 1929 (1928 - 1929), pp. 51-76
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Schlesinger, Kathleen (1911). "Platerspiel". In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 3 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 805.
Print bibliographyedit
Anthony Baines. Woodwind Instruments and Their History. W. W. Norton, New York (1957)
Howard Mayer Brown. Instruments of the Middle Ages and Renaissance: In Memoriam David Munrow. Early Music, Vol. 4, No. 3 (Jul., 1976), pp. 288–289+291+293
Roger Pinon. Philologie et Folklore Musical. Les Instruments de Musique des Patres au Moyen Age et a la Renaissance. Jahrbuch für Volksliedforschung, 14. Jahrg., 1969 (1969), pp. 85–101
Zoltan Falvy. Musical Instruments in the Kaufmann Manuscripts, Budapest. Studia Musicologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae, T. 37, Fasc. 2/4 (1996), pp. 231–248
Inglis Gundry. Medieval Church Drama: Some Practical Considerations. The Musical Times, Vol. 104, No. 1441 (Mar., 1963), pp. 183–184
Rainer Weber. Tournebout - Pifia - Bladderpipe (Platerspiel), The Galpin Society Journal, Vol. 30, May, 1977 (May, 1977), pp. 64–69
G Kinsky: 'Doppelrolrblatt-Instrumente mit Windkapsel', AMw vii (1925), 253-96
H. Becker: Zur Entwicklungsgeschichter der antiken und mittelalterlichen Rohrblattinstrumente (Hamburg, 1966)
External linksedit
Sound recording online, by Antiqua
: image showing a bladder pipe with a drone Retrieved January 2008
image on gajdy.cz, Czech folklore site: Platerspiel: image showing a bladder pipe with a drone Retrieved January 2008
: image showing a bladder pipe with a drone Retrieved January 2008
: image showing a bladder pipe with a drone Retrieved January 2008
: Czech instrument craftsmen who make reproduction Bladder-pipes with and without drones. Includes specs and images
January 01, 1970
bladder, pipe, bladder, pipe, german, platerspiel, blaterpfeife, medieval, simplified, bagpipe, consisting, insufflation, tube, blow, pipe, bladder, chanter, sounded, double, reed, which, fitted, into, reed, seat, chanter, reed, inside, inflated, bladder, soun. The bladder pipe German Platerspiel or Blaterpfeife is a medieval simplified bagpipe consisting of an insufflation tube blow pipe a bladder bag and a chanter sounded by a double reed which is fitted into a reed seat at the top of the chanter The reed inside the inflated bladder is sounded continuously and cannot be tongued Some bladder pipes were made with a single drone pipe and reproductions are similar to a loud continuous crumhorn The chanter has an outside tenon at the top near the reed which fits into a socket or stock which is then tied into the bladder Bladder pipe at Karlstejn Castle Contents 1 History 2 Other forms 3 In literature 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 6 1 Print bibliography 7 External linksHistory editWhile the first creation of a double reed pipe with a bladder controlling breath is unknown it is believed to have originated in Europe before the 13th century As an intermediate phase between the almost pan European bagpipe and the Renaissance crumhorn the Bladder pipe flourished from the 14th to 16th centuries 1 nbsp Bladder pipe playing angel Frauenkirche Memmingen Germany about 1460 Examples have been found from Germany Poland England France Italy Spain called the odrecillo and Estonia called the rakkopilli 2 As it declined in popularity it became associated with beggars and peasants 3 The early bladder pipe is in a family of the early medieval chorus instruments a word which in medieval Latin was frequently used also for the bagpipe In the earliest illustrated forms of bladder pipe such as the well known example of the 13th century reproduced by Martin Gerbert from a manuscript at Sankt Blasien Abbey in the Black Forest the bladder is unusually large and the chanter or melody pipe has instead of a bell the carved head of an animal At first the chanter was a straight conical tube terminating in a bell as in the bagpipe The later instruments have a pipe of larger calibre more or less curved and bent back as in the letter J as the crumhorn tournebout and cromorne This curvature coming from the shape of an animal horn suggests the early crumhorn s development from a bladder pipe One famous illustration of these bladder pipes appears in the 13th century Spanish manuscript known as the Cantigas de Santa Maria in the library of El Escorial in Madrid together with a bladder pipe having two pipes a chanter and a drone side by side Another Platerspiel David is illustrated by Sebastian Virdung 1511 4 Other forms editThere was practically no technical difference between the bent chanter of the bladder pipe and the cromorne the only distinction being the form and size of the air chamber either the bladder or the wind cap in which the reed was set in vibration The player blows air into the bladder through the insufflation tube or through the raised slit shaped opening of the wind cap placed against the player s lips This earlier Italian form of bladder pipe is found illustrated at the end of the 15th century in the Book of Hours known as the Sforza Book 5 nbsp The burgomeister and Death showing Death with a bladder pipe From the Heidelberger Totentanz c 1488 In literature editAn allusion to the bladder pipe occurs in an old English ballad Eight shepherds were playing on various instruments The fyrst hed ane drone bagpipe the next hed ane pipe maid of ane bleddir and of ane reid the third playit on ane trump 4 This excerpt suggests the early English bladder pipe retained a distinct form and did not become merged with the bagpipe 4 See also editPig bladder Bladder fiddleNotes edit One type of early crumhorn has a lower end is made of animal horn which may be traceable back to the structure of certain types of bagpipes principally the bladder pipe Laszlo Ujhazy Acoustical Data on the Curve of the Crumhorn Studia Musicologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae T 24 Fasc 1 2 1982 pp 233 245 The bladder pipe an intermediate stage between the bagpipe and the crumhorn dates from the 13th century Richard Rastall Review Music of the Crusades by Early Music Consort of London Munrow The Musical Times Vol 113 No 1549 Mar 1972 p 275 In 1967 the author of the present paper could get the description of a very archaic bagpipe from the Votians in Ingermanland not far from the eastern borders of Estonia The bag of the Votic bagpipe rakkopilli was made of a pig s bladder It had no drone see Engl bladder pipe Germ Platerspiel As the bagpipe is unknown east of the Votians it is quite possible that the archaic Votic bagpipe comes from Estonia where it may once have existed Igor Tonurist THE ESTONIAN BAGPIPE 1974 A Bladder pipe is shown painted in a Valencia church mural between 1598 and 1605 Greta J Olson Angel musicians instruments and late sixteenth century Valencia Music in Art International Journal for Music Iconography XXVII 1 2 2002 46 67 During the fifteenth century the Italians made use of the bladder pipe Edmund A Bowles A Checklist of Musical Instruments in Fifteenth Century Illuminated Manuscripts at the British Museum Notes 2nd Ser Vol 29 No 4 Jun 1973 pp 694 703 the bladder pipe old Span odrecillo J B Trend The Performance of Music in Spain Proceedings of the Musical Association 55th Sess 1928 1929 1928 1929 pp 51 76 see Iowa State University below a b c Schlesinger 1911 p 805 Schlesinger 1911 p 805 cites British Museum References editGerman Wikipedia s Platerspiel including image Musica Antiqua Instruments The Bladder Pipe Iowa State University Retrieved January 2008 Attribution nbsp This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Schlesinger Kathleen 1911 Platerspiel In Chisholm Hugh ed Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 3 11th ed Cambridge University Press p 805 Print bibliography edit Anthony Baines Woodwind Instruments and Their History W W Norton New York 1957 Howard Mayer Brown Instruments of the Middle Ages and Renaissance In Memoriam David Munrow Early Music Vol 4 No 3 Jul 1976 pp 288 289 291 293 Roger Pinon Philologie et Folklore Musical Les Instruments de Musique des Patres au Moyen Age et a la Renaissance Jahrbuch fur Volksliedforschung 14 Jahrg 1969 1969 pp 85 101 Zoltan Falvy Musical Instruments in the Kaufmann Manuscripts Budapest Studia Musicologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae T 37 Fasc 2 4 1996 pp 231 248 Inglis Gundry Medieval Church Drama Some Practical Considerations The Musical Times Vol 104 No 1441 Mar 1963 pp 183 184 Rainer Weber Tournebout Pifia Bladderpipe Platerspiel The Galpin Society Journal Vol 30 May 1977 May 1977 pp 64 69 G Kinsky Doppelrolrblatt Instrumente mit Windkapsel AMw vii 1925 253 96 H Becker Zur Entwicklungsgeschichter der antiken und mittelalterlichen Rohrblattinstrumente Hamburg 1966 External links editSound recording online by Antiqua Weytora music ensemble Poland Platerspiel image showing a bladder pipe with a drone Retrieved January 2008 image on gajdy cz Czech folklore site Platerspiel image showing a bladder pipe with a drone Retrieved January 2008 karmina cz Music ensemble Platerspiel image showing a bladder pipe with a drone Retrieved January 2008 Platerspiel image showing a bladder pipe with a drone Retrieved January 2008 medievaltravel co uk Medieval Music Bladder Pipe Pavel Cip amp synove Czech instrument craftsmen who make reproduction Bladder pipes with and without drones Includes specs and images Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bladder pipe amp oldid 1153904052, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
