Models Of Ancient Instruments On Display In Tulsa

By Rich Lenz, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The San Antonio Vocal Arts Ensemble recently performed a one-of-a-kind concert in Tulsa.

The program was called, "Ancient Echoes" and the musicians performed on instruments once favored by King David himself.

"The melodies that may have gone with the psalms and played on authentic instruments from the second temple period right around the time of Christ. They played five of these instruments during their concert and we had fantastic attendance and it went so well their CD sold out in five minutes," said Dr. Karen York, museum curator.

These beautiful instruments are on display at the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art.

There are 31 instruments in all, including one which dates back to 3000 B.C., 3,000 years before Christ.

"I think I started out as an artist, a sculptor and a photographer. I make these things about 30 years and I start with one and it takes me inside, into this project," said Israeli artist Moshe Furmin.

Moshe refers to these instruments as his children.

"This is a stomach of a cow. I read somewhere that the acoustic box was made from a stomach of a cow," said Moshe Furmin.

Other materials include goat horns, cat gut strings, animal skins and woods and metals authentic to the time in which they were first played.

"These instruments, of course because they're made of wood and skin and ligament and horn could never survive from 3 to 6,000 years ago. What did survive were pictures on coins, pictures on reliefs and so a team of artists and archeologists first began to do the research that Mr. Furmin was involved in," said Dr. Karen York.

An ancient sculpture provided the inspiration for a harp.

"There are three systems of tuning, this is one of them," said Moshe Furmin. These works of art are meant to be played. "If it's called a musical instrument, it's meant to be played. This is important thing," Moshe Furmin said.

And in the right hands, they can be played beautifully, but they are also beautiful to look at as well.

The exhibit at the Sherwin Miller Museum of Art will be open to the public thru January 25.

"It has never been to the U.S. before and we are its premier institution and we are very honored. This is something that normally does happen in New York or Washington or San Francisco, but it's here and we really do want everyone in Tulsa to come out and enjoy it and learn about these instruments," said Dr. Karen York.

The Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art is open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The museum is located at 2021 East 71st Street in Tulsa.