Instrumenty i kapele ludowe w folklorze pieśniowym Śląska Cieszyńskiego
Folk instruments and ensembles in the song-based folklore of Śląsk Cieszyński

Author(s): Andrzej Wójcik
Subject(s): Music
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: Cieszyn ensemble; góralska ensemble; folk instruments; typology of ensembles; execution practice of ensembles; musicians; folk songs; song-based folklore; instruments in songs
Summary/Abstract: The questions associated with the functioning of folk ensembles were the object of the interest of researchers who were or are engaged in the study of dance-based folklore, songs, folk instruments, costumes, ceremonies and customs. A typology of the instrumental folk bands of the Cieszyn region along with a discussion of the properties of execution-related practice, the function and the range of occurrence was outlined by Alojzy Kopoczek. Of relevance for the present work were the conclusions drawn from the research in the historical aspects of musical folklore which was heretofore conducted, including inter alia the variability of the properties of execution practice of the ensembles and the construction of the instruments. The researchers did not fail to take into account the dichotomous nature of Śląsk-Cieszyn folklore. An expression of this property – apart from the repertoire-related differences – has to do with the diversity of the instrumentarium of the ensembles. The activity of folk ensembles which usually played dance music inspired natural authors of songs. It was also reflected in proverbs, adages, riddles, memoirs and iconographical accounts. The present work focuses on the selected examples of song-based folklore. On the basis of these examples one confirmed the occurrence, in the inventory of folk Śląsk-Cieszyn songs, of expressions which are associated content-wise with musical activity – individual and ensemble-based instrumental musicianship, musician-related customs and situations which are conducive to the performance of (amateur) music. Without doubt these works constitute an expression of associative capabilities and the strict relationship of their creators “[...] with the currently practised execution-related apparatus” (K. Turek).

• Details
• Contents