Following the survey we did of the 14 bagpipes at the National History Museum in Riga, we visited the open Museum of the same city, to analyse two more instruments.
It was worth the visit, as one of the bagpipes had the cow horn seemingly intact. It was an interesting instrument, with interesting details of provenance.
With these two bagpipes documented we have measured 16 of the total 17 bagpipes held in Latvian museums. There might be more on private collections – if you know of other bagpipes in Latvia, let me know.
Gonçalo Cruz
is a Researcher, Musician, Educator & Maker of Bagpipes & Woodwinds.
He holds a Masters in Architecture, and is currently a Doctoral candidate at the Sibelius Academy - “Forgotten Bagpipes - The redesign of the Säkkipilli in Finland”. His research interests are in the disciplines of Music, Ethnomusicology, Organology, as well as Art & Design, History & Archeology, with a special interest in the subjects of Instrument building, Tuning and Temperament.
As an artist, Gonçalo has been working as a music composer and guest musician on live and recorded performances, and is keen in developing the concept of “Music as Design”