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| What is a Vielle? |
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A European string instrument which first appeared in the middle
ages and was used for religious music. Later it became a folk
instrument, much appreciated by the common people, but being mostly
played by the poor and the blind, it was disdained by professional
musicians. The vielle was often used as an accompaniment for the rustic
bagpipe, an instrument associated with shepherds.
In the XVIIIth century however it became a very fashionable court instrument, and famous composers (Lully, Vivaldi, etc....) wrote music for it. Because of this its playing technique was refined. Then, after the French revolution it fell again into disgrace, but the tradition continued in Berry, Bourbonnais, Auvergne, and Limousin (central France) where it was much in demand at country dances and weddings. More recently, with the advent of the accordion, it started losing its popularity, but since the 70's it has been revived and is enjoyed by a growing group of young folk musicians. There are now some vielle players, vielle makers, vielle schools, and vielle festivals in several European countries , as well as in the United States and Canada. So, if you want to see some vielles,and French bagpipes and to hear and dance to some traditional French music, come to our festival this May! |
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