- Note: At the International Lyre Conference in Belfast in 2006,
we welcomed the Brazilian lyrists as honorary members of LANA, with
the hope that there could be more exchange between our continents.
For those of you who haven't met or experienced performances by the
leading Brazilian lyrists, they are remarkable for their technical
and musical excellence, their delightful interpretations of Brazilian
music on the lyre, their dedication to many aspects of Anthroposophical
music, and the extent to which they put their music at the service
of others. The following is a report sent from our Brazilian friends.
After the reports are some photos of their
activities.
A Little about the Lyre in Brazil
In Brazil, the lyre has been enchanting those who have the opportunity
to hear it for a number of years. We have been extending the presence
of the lyre through small concerts in various places, such as small
theaters, hospitals, therapeutic centers, and schools.
The softness and subtleness of the sound of the lyre cause a definite
inner impression in each person who hears it for the first time, opening
the heart, the soul and the listening.
The number of lyre students increases little by little. We are 30,
perhaps 40, lyrists in Brazil, at different levels of practice and
knowledge. In Belo Horizonte, a city located in the southeast area,
we are 12 active lyrists, and we have accomplished small concerts
and presentations in schools and hospitals. Our group becomes larger
and our work is enriched when we include kanteles, singers and even
a harpist in the presentations.
Here in Brazil we have difficulty acquiring lyres because our government
imposes an import tax of approximately 60% on instruments. Many times,
we have people who want to learn how to play the lyre, but they don't
have an instrument. Thus, we must seek other options. Sometimes we
find used lyres to buy. In general, however, people don't like to
sell their instruments even though they do not use them anymore. It
is also possible to acquire a Brazilian lyre. We have two manufacturers
that make lyres in the country, but we don't have the tradition in
construction of these instruments. The behavior of the Brazilian wood
for the construction of lyres is still a concern, and we know of cases
where lyres have bent or even split. Another option is to travel to
Europe or elsewhere to buy a lyre of good quality, but often this
option is impractical due to the high cost of the instrument.
In spite of this difficulty, both the quality and number of performances
is growing here. We go on working, certain that, at all levels, each
lyre that sounds in the world has an important place. Each lyrist
who participates has a place in a movement that is taking place all
over the world in musical and anthroposophical communities.
We are sending photos of our work in the hospitals and in a theater
in Belo Horizonte, with the choral and kantele group.
We have received the LANA publications with much gratitude and we
would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
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