Cymbalennium

The cymbalom (also sp. cimbalom) is a modern orchestral (Hungarian) version of the hammered dulcimer, appearing first in Persia as the santour. Its trapezoid shape & tradition of playing with two hand-held 'hammers' have traveled world culture's living memory without missing a beat for 2500 years. Michael Masley plays with a technique he originated, which he calls bowhammer cymbalom: adding thumbpicks, this enables plucking, striking, and bowing. Michael's music has been heard in diverse national contexts (94 Winter Olympics, NFL broadcasts, HBO, Entertainment Tonight, NPR, etc.). The NPR radio show All Things Considered aired a profile of Masley (8-15-95) and excerpts from his CD Mystery Repeats Itself occasionally surface on that program as well as on Morning Edition. His song Six White Horses is featured on the All Songs Considered CD on NPR Classics. Note that Mystery Repeats Itself is a compilation of previous works, and includes some songs present on Cymbalom Solos Masley recorded with producer Butch Vig (drummer for the rock act Garbage) and appears on the multi-platinum album by Garbage entited Version 2.0. Michael worked with Ry Cooder on the soundtrack to Geronimo: An American Legend, contributing original music on cymbalom, Lakota flute, and water pipes. A one hour documentary on Michael Masley is being directed by Michael Sloan, entitled Art Officially Favored, and will be available on DVD through Rosevoir Productions. Michael is also active politically as The Artist General, a self-created position (similar to the Surgeon General) he has created to represent the interests of artists in the USA. Masley plays hammered dulcimer duets with Magnatune artist Jamie Janover on All Strings Considered.
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