Зурните в Югозападна България (устройство, изработване, музикални възможности)
Zurlas in Southwest Bulgaria (Structure, Manufacturing, Musical Capacities)

Summary/Abstract: The zurni common in the Bulgarian lands (during the 19th and 20th C the instrument was referred to as zurna, zurla, surla, svirka in folklore texts, literature and field research information) are woodwind musical instrument, which, according to the classification of Hornbostel and Zax, can be referred to the schalmeyes group of instruments with a double reed (e.g. oboe), a conical groove and holes closed or opened with fingers. The woodwind instruments with a double reed are among the most ancient (dating back to the Neolithic Age) and are most widespread in the world (the Balkans, Northern Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Europe). The article dwells on the organological aspects of the zurna in Southwest Bulgaria: structure and names of the parts, kinds of zurni in regions, depending on the dimensions and names, materials and techniques of manufacturing, and musical capacities (tone volume, sound order, technique of playing). Insofar as emphasis is laid on the musicians’ knowledge of organology, i.e. the version of those playing or making the zurni, themselves, the approach may be described as “anthropology of the zurna”. An attempt has been made to interpret the Bulgarian material within the context of the information regarding the organology of the zurna in the Balkans: Turkey, Greece and Macedonia. In place of conclusion, inferences have been presented regarding the transformation processes that the zurni have undergone in our times.

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