Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > August 2007 > 2007.08.31 > 04Prev  Next


Mechanical Music in Greece
By Mark Kinsler

Well, Greece does not seem to be a nation that celebrates mechanical
devices to any great degree.  But I saw a hand-cranked drum-driven
piano (I forget what they're called) ["laterna"] in Thessaloniki two
years ago, and another in Athens.  The guy carries or rolls the thing
around the tourist areas.

And in an antique store in Athens I saw a push-up player sitting there,
brand unidentified.  I didn't notice any rolls anywhere.  The fellow at
the store didn't seem too enthusiastic about mechanical music devices;
it just wasn't much of a priority around there.

Though I must have gone through three million tiny stores in each city
-- Greek towns seem to be built out of little stores -- I saw nothing
but that single example.  In short, there seems to be more mechanical
music here in Lancaster, Ohio, than in all of Greece.

You'd think they'd have tried to mechanize a bazouki or something, but
my impression is that all of the guys who'd be inclined to do so have
gone off to seek their fortunes elsewhere, mostly in the US: I imagine
that there are a good many Greek-American mechanical music enthusiasts,
but few in their home nation, which is otherwise a great place.

Mark Kinsler - idly speculating
Lancaster, Ohio, USA
http://www.mkinsler.com/


(Message sent Sat 1 Sep 2007, 00:58:50 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Greece, Mechanical, Music

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page