As well as being one of the definitive instruments of European classical music, the violin is also an important instrument in folk cultures. We know relatively little about the instruments known by our ancestors as the 'hegedű' (violin) before the 17th century: the neck and body of the so-called Hungarian violin were made of a single piece of wood in the shape of an oblong rectangle. Over the past two centuries, the design of these 'folk' violins has come to closely resemble those played in the modern symphony orchestra. All the strings of the hurdy-gurdy are vibrated by rotating a waxed wooden disc while the melody is played on the keyboard. The viola, also known as the deep violin, is a four-stringed string instrument that is slightly larger in size than the violin but held in the same way. The host for this programme introducing you to musical instruments is a notable figure from the Hungarian folk music scene, Zoltán 'Batyu' Farkas. Joining him will be the team of Balázs Vizeli, Máté Vizeli and Péter Czaier, who will ensure that the audience leaves the concert enriched with theoretical knowledge, some hands-on experience and a few catchy tunes.

Age: 8-12 year
Presented by: Müpa Budapest