The stars of this show are the instruments themselves. Listeners young and old are invited to learn about a variety of unusual instruments through authentic live music played by expert musicians. Once again, this season's Instru-Mentor programme introduces the instruments of Hungarian folklore. We know relatively little about those string instruments referred to as violins before the 17th century. There can be no doubt, however, that the plucked and/or bowed lute-like instruments played across Europe – variations on the fidula and rebec – were also known in Hungary. The Hungarian fiddle was similar and had a long, rectangular body and neck fashioned from a single piece of wood. Musicians were still carving instruments from single pieces of wood in the early 19th century. This practice did not entirely die out even in the 20th century, although these instruments were modelled on the factory-made violins we know today. Over the past century and a half, the design of “folk” violins has come to closely resemble those played in the modern symphony orchestra, essentially a factory violin with minor adjustments. One instrument that differs from the standard violin is the three-stringed kontra used as an accompaniment in Central Transylvania and Kalotaszeg. Here, the E string is simply done away with as it has no purpose when the violin is played as an accompaniment. The remaining strings are retuned accordingly and positioned at the same height along a flat bridge. This allows three-string chords to be played by bowing three strings at the same time and with the same force. The violin requires more intense practice, preparation and natural talent than any other folk instrument. As a result, it is primarily an instrument of professional or semi-professional musicians, often of Roma ethnicity. (Based on the writing of Bálint Sárosi.)

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