The Enigmatic Panpipes

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The Enigmatic Panpipes

Welcome to this site which is dedicated to the "classical" Romanian panpipes. The Romanian style Panpipes , also called the "Panflute" or "Nai" are played today by virtuoso soloists of outstanding ability. From Baroque , to Folk to Light music , the instrument comes alive in the hands of these performers. On this site you will find out more about the Romanian Panpipes , world-class performers , where to buy top quality instruments and even how to make your own first Panpipes. I hope you find this interesting and informative.

The traditional Romanian Panpipes has 20 tubes and a range from B1 to G4. The tubes are arranged in a curve and decrease in length and diameter up the scale. The instrument is traditionally tuned in the key of G major. The established modern variant of the instrument has 22 tubes from G1 to G4 although much larger Panpipes are available.

Ion Preda Panpipes are available from the great teacher , composer and Panpipes expert Costel Puscoiu.

Other superb Panpipes are...Ulitza , Occorso , Kuttner , and others. Prices can vary though between Ł300 and Ł800 for a standard 22 tubed instrument. Go here to see some pictures of professional Panpipes or visit.Panofon.

Great Panpipes Virtuosos

The world's greatest performers include the legendary Gheorghe Zamfir , who first brought the instrument to the west , Germany's Ulrich Herkenhoff , the Romanian born virtuosos - , Simion Stanciu , Damian Luca , Damian Draghici , Radu Simion , Horea Crishan , Cornel Pana , Dana Dragomir , Dragu Voiculets , Nicolae Pirvu , Constantin Dobre , Radu Constantin , Damian Cirlanaru , Costel Puscoiu and the late and great Fanica Luca (who taught Zamfir and others) , the American Brad White , Jos Aerts , Kevin Budd , Esther Erbehart and many more. Read more about these great performers and visit their web sites via the links table at the bottom of this page or visit the U.K.'s first Panpipes site Panflute-UK

Gheorghe Zamfir

The recent history of the Romanian Panpipes

The Romanian Panpipes were only made really famous in the west following the arrival on the world stage of the great Gheorghe Zamfir , himself a Romanian. Zamfir was "discovered" as such my the famous Swiss Impresario and Ethnomusicologist Marcel Cellier who extensively researched Romanian Folk Music. Zamfir gave performances in the early 1970s in France and Switzerland and was further exposed following the chart success in the United Kingdom of a Romanian lament "Doina de Jale" , played by Zamfir and used as the theme music to a BBC TV series "The Light of Experience". Greater fame and a number of recordings and concerts across the Western World accorded Zamfir the title of the "Uncrowned King of the Panpipes"

Gheorghe Zamfir

Since the 1980s the profile of the Panpipes in Classical music has been significantly raised. This has followed a number of notable recordings of Classical works by Zamfir but , perhaps more significantly , by a fellow Romanian who studied the instrument at the same academy as Zamfir and who has now become known as the "Paganini of the Panpipes". He is Simion Stanciu "Syrinx". Syrinx's performances of classical works are legendary and he displays a formidable playing technique. He has made a number of classical recordings and has been accompanied by many eminent ensembles and accompanying virtuosi.

Simion Stanciu "Syrinx"

Great recognition in the Classical field must also go to a phenomenally talented and young performer from Germany , Ulrich Herkenhoff. Herkenhoff has made a number of recordings of classical works with famous orchestras and soloists. His interepretation of Baroque music is second to none. He has also made symphonic and light music recordings of the highest standard. His enormous talent and dedication have earned him the prestigeous and coveted German "Echo" award for "Best Classical Musician" in the year 2000.

Ulrich Herkenhoff

Oana Lianu

A brilliant young Panpipes virtuoso from Romania. Equally versatile in Romanian Folk as well as Classical Music. Currently working from Germany.Visit her excellent web site by clicking on the above picture.

Other great names in the Panpipes World

Marcel Cellier.

Marcel Cellier is the great Swiss Organist , Impresario and Ethnomusicologist. It is he who is responsible for bringing the talent of a number of great Romanian virtuosos to the notice of the west as the result of his extensive research and numerous recordings. It was Marcel Cellier who brought Gheorghe Zamfir to the platform of world fame and whose recordings with Zamfir on Panpipes and himself playing Organ accompaniement have received world recognition. Cellier has also accompanied Simion Stanciu and Ulrich Herkenhoff as well as another Panpipes virtuoso , the Romanian born Horea Crishan. Marcel Cellier's contribution in this area has been massive and his recordings are an absolute must.

Costel Puscoiu

Costel Puscoiu is a Composer , Musician , Teacher and Panpipes Expert. Romanian born , he is based in Delft in The Netherlands and has penned a number of very authoritative works in relation to the panpipes and Romanian Folk Music as well as many other musical publications. His "New Method for Panpipes" is a world recognised pedagogical work giving a sound and structured programme for learning the Panpipes. His library of musical scores and is extensive. He is Panpipes teacher and Leader of an orchestra at the "Free Academy Westvest" in Delft.

Dragonfly Professional Panflutes

"Dragonfly" Professional Panflutes are beautifully and exactingly constructed performance instruments hand made in the workshop of David Pighills in England. Truly professional instruments at reasonable prices

Make your own Panpipes!!

(check out this beginners guide)

Panpipes close up

Close up shots of top makes of panpipes with observations and comments on details and differences.

Literature

Details of some of the best teaching books and sheet music available for the Panpipes.

Recommended CDs.........

Here are some highly recommended recordings by top virtuosi. including "Pipes and Tubes" , a superb combination of Panpipes and Organ featuring the brilliant virtuoso Ulrich Herkenhoff. Herkenhoff is a master of all genres on the Panpipes and this CD displays his remarkable talent. Get this and other great recordings by visiting his web-site The Art of Pan

"Les Virtuoses Roumains" is an album from the great Swiuss Ethnomusicologist and Organist Marcel Cellier and is a true reflection of Romanian Folk Music. It features the great Panpipes performers , Radu Simion and Nicolae Pirvu.

Another superb album from the Marcel Cellier stable. Zamfir and Cellier at their finest in their 1970 recordings of Panpipes and Organ.

Recommended CD

Cornel Pana is a brilliant performer on the Romanian Panpipes. His technical mastery of the instrument is awe inspiring. This recording reflects both classical and folk genres and demonstrates Cornel Pana's virtuosity. As well as a virtuoso , he teaches the Panpipes and is , himself , Romanian.

Damian Draghici

Outstanding virtuoso performer of the Romanian panpipes. Breathtaking performances of extreme articulation , tempered by subtlety and expression. An excellent CD featuring Romanian Folk Music with an occasional twist.

Visit his web site

Mihai Puscoiu

Mihai Puscoiu, son of the famous teacher and composer Costel Puscoiu, is an outstanding prodigy destined to dominate the Panflute in years to come.His ability in one so young is quite remarkable and this CD is every bit the professional recording featuring both classical and light music. It is available from Costel Puscoiu. Just click on the picture!

Gheorghe Dumitru

Gheorghe Dumitru is a virtuoso performer of the highest of standards. His technical ability is very advanced and this recording reflects his diverse and entertaining folklore repertoire. The CD is available on the "Preda" label.

Simon Bernard - Smith

Simon Bernard - Smith is a very talented English Panflute player who has recorded several CDs of light and relicous works. His tone and style are very warm and robust and his works beautifully interpreted. Simon plays instruments made by Ion Preda as well as a huge "Albatross" Panflute made by himself (featured above).

Great Links and Contacts!!!!!

Below are links to many of the great resources I have already mentioned.There are some excellent web-sites. Please check-out and join the e-groupspage "Panflute World" a great discussion and knowledge sharing forum.

	*Panflute World* *(informative chat-room)*
	*Panflute Club...site with chat room and emphasis on Gheorghe Zamfir.*
	*Ulrich Herkenhoff* *(German Virtuoso , Teacher & Panpipes maker)*
	*Costel Puscoiu* *(Netherlands based Teacher Composer and Panpipes expert)*
	*Brad White* *(American Pan-Flautist , Recording Artist & Professional Musician)*
	*Kevin Budd* *(Canadian Performer , Panpipes maker , Teacher and Expert)*
	*Marcel Cellier* *(Swiss Organist , Ethnomusicologist and Researcher- A great man)*
	*Matthias Schlubeck* *(German Panpipes player , Teacher and Authority)*
	*Jos Aerts* *(Panpipes Player and Authority from The Netherlands)*
	*"The Hall of Panflutists"* *(Professional performing panflutist and teacher in the US. Douglas is also the creator of "The Hall of Panflutists" the most complete Panflute portal on the Internet)*
	*Michael Dinner* *(Panpipes Player and Maker)*
	*Steffen Kuttner* *(Superb Panflute Builder from Germany)*
	*Santi Occorso* *(Swiss Panpipes Maker)*
	*"Pancore" Walti Bucheli*