Mark Harmer's video: Epic of Gilgamesh with 4500-year-old Lyre extract

A performance of part of the Epic of Gilgamesh. This piece uses the newly-reconstructed and completed Lyre of Ur, which was found in a grave in ancient Mesopotamia. The original instrument was destroyed when the Baghdad museum was looted, and this reconstruction uses original materials - gut strings, pink sandstone, lapis lazuli, gold. The string tuning is based on pipes which were found in the same grave, and which appear in another video extract which we'll upload shortly. Andy Lowings reconstructed the Lyre with the help of an international team, and the extract you see here is performed by Bill Taylor and Jennifer Sturdy - Jennifer wears a headress and jewellery based on contemporary designs, also trimmed with gold. You can find out more about the music and the tunings of the lyre here: http://www.lyre-of-ur.com/music4.htm This video is a taste of a series of music, dance and performance being written especially for this instrument, which is gaining great interest in the academic and music world. If you are interested in having the team bring along this stunning instrument and perform for your organisation, please call Andy Lowings on +44 7709 268426 or in the UK, 07709 268426, and he will be happy to talk to you. I made this video as part of my own contribution to the project. I used Neumann mics into a Soundcraft mixer, with Sony widescreen video cameras, and edited it on Adobe Premiere pro. I hope you enjoy the video! Higher quality version: http://www.danceofdelight.com/gallery/Lyre_of_ur_videos/gilg_final.html