East Anglian Dulcimers.

An East Anglian Dulcimer decorated in traditional colours.

Who now has ever heard, let alone seen, a dulcimer being played recently in East Anglia? Few I imagine, yet at the beginning of the 20th century, this region probably had more dulcimer players than any other part of England.

What is a dulcimer? It is a strung musical instrument made of wood that originated in the Middle East and spread to Europe in the 11th century. Essentially, a trapezoid shape, strung across the top with steel wires that are struck with cane beaters wound with wool. Each instrument can vary in size and layout making them truly individual, and the sound created is like no other, with rather haunting, atmospheric tones. It is centuries old and there are versions of this type of psaltery or harp, all around the world, a harpsicord being essentially a larger version of the instrument, and the piano a later version still. A close cousin of the ducimer is the zither, having strings that are generally plucked rather than struck.

At their peak of popularity in East Anglia, roughly the hundred years between 1850 to1930, dulcimers were made both by skilled instrument-makers and carpenters. Some were highly decorated with inlaid patterns while others were more simply adorned with black paint and gold decoration. East Anglian dulcimers are distinctive, generally having moveable bridges known as chessmen which enabled fine-tuning on the chromatic scale. There could be up to five strings per note, tuned in unison, leading to a distinctive sound quite different to other UK traditions. The unusual lay-out is thought to have been influenced by the instruments of Italian immigrants of the 18th century and is reckoned by some to be one of the most versatile dulcimer tunings in the world.

However, pianos rather eclipsed the acquisition and playing of dulcimers, many homes between wars seemed to acquire an upright one, but pockets of dulcimer-players carried on the traditions, mainly travelling to rural pubs and gatherings. The folk scene revival of the 1970’s helped cement the instrument’s popularity and its distinctive sounds have been, and still are, used to great effect by rock bands, folk singers and and screen composers.

My interest in dulcimers began after I learned of a returned, badly-injured WWI soldier, who despite serious sight and ear impairment could still 'hear' the vibrations of his dulcimer, enabling him to carry on playing local venues, so I began some research, during which I came across an article that mentioned a mystery instrument bought at an auction in Diss. As it was stripped back during the initial stages of restoration the name J. Caston, Forncett, Norfolk was found both inside the instrument and on its stand. Extraordinarily, this instrument was actually made in my own village. The history of this particular dulcimer, bought in pieces, at auction many years ago, is now gradually unfolding.

Meanwhile, listen out for the distinctive tones on sound-tracks as varied as Gladiator, Lord of the Rings, Best Marigold Hotel, Whale Rider, How to Train your Dragon, The Grand Budapest Hotel - particularly atmospheric and haunting - and The Road to Perdition.

Traditional instrument in traditional setting. Billy Cooper 1883-1964 , Norfolk dulcimer player.

Note: East Anglian (and English Dulcimers in general) are not to be confused with Apalachian or Mountain dulcimers played extensively in the United States. Apalachian shapes and styles vary considerably, and have continuous bridges. Quite different in shape and construction, these instruments are often plucked rather than played with beaters.

Apalachian Dulcimer

For those interested, the instrument-maker Richard Blake monikarichard@yahoo.co.uk says 'the fine-tuning of the East Anglian dulcimer allows chordal and harmonic accompaniment in the home key of G and its close relatives. It also facilitates playing in the keys of c, d, f, a and bflat with very little trouble, not to mention the relative minor keys and modes. With 21 bridges it has a range of three octaves. There are not many other small tabletop dulcimers in the world that can boast all this.'

East Anglian Dulcimer with traditional decoration.

http://www.eastangliandulcimers.org.uk https://www.eatmt.org.uk/dulcimers-2/

www.kittywitchdiaries.com

The Jenny Lind

Jenny Lind by Eduard Magnus

I should think practically everyone in Norwich knows what you mean when you say 'I'm going to the Jenny Lind.' Do you?

Many years ago when my children were small, I had cause to visit 'The Jenny' in Norwich. I am referring of course to the children's hospital, an attractive red-brick building on a garden-like corner plot in Unthank Road. I did not know then that the land was a gift from Mr. Jeremiah Coleman, nor did I know why it was called the Jenny Lind and apart from the welcoming sight of a beautiful dapple-grey rocking horse, I have little detailed recall of its interior or why I was there.

The children's hospital left that site and was incorporated into the West Wing of the newly-built Norfolk and Norwich Hospital at Colney in 2001. Still called the Jenny Lind, it tends to over 60,000 in- and out-patients a year, a far cry from the 51 and 250 it took on in its first year in 1854. Since then it has cared for over 4,000,000 children from across the region.

Its history began back in 1847 when the Swedish singing sensation, Jenny Lind first came to Norwich. An international star who had toured America with the famous P.T. Barnum, who had flowers thrown at her feet by Queen Victoria, and was admired by great composers of her day, was in the city on a provincial tour of England! The streets heaved with people, church bells rang out and she even had a gun salute. Her concerts were sell-outs and after her wonderful welcome and performance, she arranged to return two years later. True to her word and whilst staying with Bishop Stanley of Norwich, she gave two more concerts at St. Andrew's Hall donating the takings to charity. A children's hospital was sorely needed and with the money, an old house in Pottergate, Norwich was bought which opened to its first young patients and mothers due to give birth in 1854. This they called The Jenny Lind Infirmary for Sick Children and it was only the second in the country devoted to children after Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. It was when this building became delapidated and out-grown that the purpose-built hospital was established on Unthank Road.

Jenny Lind herself had been discovered by chance when a passer-by in Stockholm heard her singing. At nine years old, she subsequently became the youngest person ever to gain a scholarship to the Swedish Opera House and it was after Hans Christian Andersen wrote a story called The Nightingale about her that forever after she was known as The Swedish Nightingale. Born out of wedlock, moved between different relations as a young child, Jenny suffered ill-health and anxiety at the age of seventeen shortly after taking the operatic world by storm. She lost her voice and it was only with careful nursing that she recovered it. Perhaps it was gratitude that led to her generosity wherever she performed around the world. Certainly Norwich will never forget her and many youngsters and their parents have cause to give thanks to a modest yet world-acclaimed soprano who never forgot to think of others less fortunate than herself.

Jenny Lind wrote to the chair of the hospital management committee:

“Of all the money which God allowed me to give away when my poor throat could call an audience to listen to it’s production. None has borne a more nobler fruit than the Jenny Lind Hospital of Norwich.”

Johanna Maria "Jenny" Lind born 6 October 1820 died on 2nd November, 1887 in Herefordshire England.

Fabulous Forsythia

Who doesn't love Forsythia? The sight of its vibrant yellow flowers really makes Spring feel like Summer! It is very commonplace but nevertheless much treasured as a reminder of sunny days to come.

It was a surprise to me when I found out that Forsythia is a genus of flowing plants in the olive family Oleacea. There are about 11 species mostly native to eastern Asia, Japan, China, and Korea. No species of Forsythia was common in cultivation before about 1850 and it was not until 1908 that the first outstanding variety was imported into this country. Since those times many cultivars have been created.

We are most familiar with the early-flowing bush or small tree common to many parks and gardens named after Scottish botanist William Forsyth, (1737-1804), royal head gardener in Kensington and founding member of the Royal Horticultural Society. Its hardy four-lobed yellow flowers are produced in profusion in early spring before the leaves. These become pendent in rainy weather thus shielding the reproductive parts. The fruit is a dry capsule, containing several winged seeds.

Forsythia suspensa (Lian Qiao) with its graceful arching branches is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs of Chinese herbology in use for over 4,000 years for ailments such as skin conditions. According to some legends, once forsythia begins to bloom, it means you’ll still have three more snowfalls before the winter is truly over but I've a suspicion this applies only to the Far East...?

In numerology, forsythia with its four joined petals is associated with the number 4 which is the number of Foundation: the four winds, the four seasons, the four astrological elements. 4's are solid, 'four-square' and reliable, so like those stoic forsythias in our gardens.

In the Victorian era, flowers were assigned special meanings, as part of a secret language hidden within bouquets and vases of mixed blooms and foliage. Forsythia was associated with anticipation which fits nicely with its role as a vibrant harbinger of Spring and the seasons to follow.

Korea has a musical instrument called the ajaeng, whose string were made of twisted silk supported by separate movable bridges was plucked or played with a bow. The bow is some 65 cm (25 inches) long, fashioned from a peeled and hollow forsythia branch that has been hardened with pine resin which helps resonation.