Maria Viksnina and her torban | a rare Ukrainian instrument on its way into classical music

Rediscovery: Ukrainian musician Maria Viksnina introduces the torban, a historic lute instrument played by nobility in Ukraine in the 18th century, and since forgotten. Viksnina has made it her mission to give the torban a permanent place in classical music once again.
Not only in name does the torban resemble the theorbo, the bass lute common in Western Europe. Both stringed instruments have a second pegbox and an extended neck. The torban, however, is characterized by additional short treble strings.
Maria Viksnina was born in Zaporozhye, Ukraine in 1998 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the National University of Culture and Arts in Kyiv in 2020. Since then she has lived in Berlin and is studying Early Music at the Berlin University of the Arts. Besides the torban, Viksnina plays theorbo, lute and baroque guitar.
In the video, Viksnina introduces the torban and plays various pieces that illustrate its uses and sound. Her repertoire ranges from classical music to anti-war songs and the Ukrainian national anthem. Viksnina plans to start her own torban school and is committed to helping Ukraine’s soldiers in the war against Russia - by sending them her music to cheer them up on the front lines. Experience this portrait of an impressive Ukrainian musician with her impressive instrument!
Music clips:
(00:00) Spatter the Dew (Irish Slip Jig)
(00:46) Spatter the Dew (Irish Slip Jig)
(01:32) Brian Boru's March (Irish Traditional)
(03:24) Frédéric Chopin: A Maiden's Wish (from Polish Songs, Op. 74)
(05:09) Tymko Padura: Nyzowec
(05:59) "Whose horse is that?" (Ukrainian anti-war song)
(07:06) National Anthem of Ukraine
(09:36) "Whose horse is that?" (Ukrainian anti-war song)
(10:47) "Whose horse is that?" (Ukrainian anti-war song)
(12:53) Frédéric Chopin: A Maiden's Wish (from Polish Songs, Op. 74)
Watch more portraits of classical musicians: / playlistlist=pl_sdnzpd...
Watch more music documentaries:
/ playlistlist=pl_sdnzpd...
Subscribe to DW Classical Music:
/ dwclassicalmusic
#MariaViksnina #Torban #UkrainianMusicians

[@BacheweyChomp5150]

My word, that is beautiful. I think this instrument is overdue for a revival. And she sings like that? What a talent!

[@jorgbaiter2767]

She not only plays fantastic this ancient torban but also got a beautiful voice! Got me goosebumps

[@watrgrl2]

Oh my! She has a voice like an opera singer! Not only does she play a rare and beautiful instrument her voice is also a rare and exquisite instrument! What an amazing young woman she is!

[@geraldillo]

The instrument has a nice warm sound, it sounds more like a guitar or a harp than like a lute. I hope for this highly talented musician and her family that this horrible war will soon be over...

[@robcreel4257]

Talk about a lost art. It's awesome someone is keeping the art alive! Beautiful music!

[@Mishbizhoo]

sehr schönes und interessantes Instrument das gut klingt und du spielst es natürlichauch noch sehr gut!

[@icedem1]

That’s so beautiful. What a wonderful sound.

[@HarpsichordVinylGallery]

The anthem with the two of you filled me with emotions.

[@viksnin]

Vielen Dank an den DW-Kanal für ein wunderbares Interview!

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Vielen Dank fürs Zuschauen! 😊

[@shishirthadani1696]

Beautiful Chopin!!! And so glad to hear this wonderful instrument.

[@mozartdl]

It's really interesting the similarity with the some baroque lutes and theorbo in name, in its looks, the neck with the curve resembling some baroque lute ones... Cool!

[@Tim_Weaver]

Thank you for this charming and informative video, and thanks also for the CC subtitles 👍 I'm loving the sound of this forgotten instrument. I hope Maria will one day be able to set up her own torban school, and maybe she will visit the UK and perform here too 💙💛

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Thanks for watching! We're glad you enjoyed it! ☺

[@josephvitalesouzavitale3326]

Very beautiful!!! Maria!! God bless you.

[@notaire2]

Sehr seltene und wertvolle Aufnahme! Vielen Dank!

[@wernertognetti5956]

Ein sehr schönes Instrument. Danke an DW für die Sendung ❤️🇺🇦🇪🇺🇺🇦❤️.

[@kaanistanbullu7936]

Thanks for this interesting and incomparable performance. Peace and respect.

[@user-pb9kg1ww1p]

Маша, дякую

[@immanuel9969]

Music has the power to change the world, and now she has that power in her hands.

[@hannagrace55]

Wow you have a meaningful name

[@SilvioNobre]

Simply gorgeous!

[@jyotisat]

Beautiful interview of Maria Viksnina by DW Channel

[@lenanielsen5903]

Very interesting video🍃thank's

[@dgmelvin]

Wonderful.

[@jameslouder]

Thank you for this video, educational yes, but better yet, so very moving. How I honour you for taking care of the youngsters in your family to keep them safe, and for the work you do for the refugees and soldiers of your suffering country. And I salute, of course, your work to preserve the torban and make it known to the world. May peace come soon, when you will be able to pursue your dreams unhampered. Until then, God keep you and yours safe and well. 💛 Slava Ukraini! 💙

[@Randonraider]

Que hermoso arte e instrumento . Que bella familia. Es un gusto escuchar a tan maravillosa interprete. Gracias por compartir.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

Gracias por mirar. Nos alegra que lo haya disfrutado 😊

[@catalinmunteanu78]

This is magical! ❤🙏

[@eduardobaistrocchi103]

Bravo!

[@basho1967]

Bravo! Love it! I play guitar and have a Bandura I attempt to play and have always loved the Torban. So great to see and hear one played so beautifully.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

She really is very talented!

[@DuoContinuo]

To get a Torban is not complicated. Maria´s father can make you one comfortable instrument. You can find his youtube-channel by @viksnin click some lines above this one.

[@anewbugmusic]

Amazing

[@jyotisat]

Very beautifully and well spoken

[@eligioramirez6404]

Hermoso !!🎼🎶🎼🎵

[@litoboy5]

GREAT !!!

[@MathewsPJohn]

Hearty congratulations.....

[@Stefan_G.]

Einfach nur SCHÖN !!!

[@MrPendell]

Guessing from the name and the layout of the bass strings that the Torban is a regional offshoot of the family of baroque arch lutes known as “theorbo”, with the addition of the Ukrainian folk instrument bandura-style array of higher register harp strings on the upper bout? Must be a beast to keep in tune. Wish my Deutsch was a lot better- I was only able to pick out a little bit of what she was saying- might have to see if I can find captions and watch again.

[@DWClassicalMusic]

You can turn on english subtitles in the video setting 😊

[@ferdinandonason9704]

Brava!

[@danielnerad6671]

Théorbe d'est! Magnifique!

[@mariaalejandradeliasmith7933]

Felicito a DW por exaltar el arte musical ucraniano. Ya veo por qué en lugar de aprender de ellos, desean conquistarlos vía ruda.

[@melanies3640]

Danke!

[@melaniamonicacraciun9900]

Slava UKRAINI friends, hoping war threats will end soon and only music will rule the world to make us feel just this good, congrats, big loving hug awesome performers always

[@artietravnickova736]

Wow!!!!! 😍😍😍😍😍

[@laniakeadev.2271]

Восхитительно

[@charysan1]

Краса ✨ Дякую. Мрію про лютню і як буду її вічність налаштовувати.

[@shiralikerim1781]

👏👏👏

[@mychaeldouglas08]

Yeah

[@watchmakerful]

Is the name "torban" related to "theorbo"? This instrument resembles a theorbo or an arch-lute.

[@christaylor2070]

sounds like German not Ukrainian she's speaking? Anyway good luck to her and her people, lovely playing and singing. I have enough trouble keeping the 6 strings on my guitar in tune..............😉

[@viksnin]

Maria is fluent not only in German, but also in English, Polish, Russian and, of course, Ukrainian. But what language should be spoken when interviewing for a German channel?

[@christaylor2070]

@@viksnin ok i didnt realize it was a German channel! Wonderful playing and an amazing instrument. I was very impressed to hear Irish traditional music played on it!

[@rudolfrippler2436]

A music for the land of dreams

[@mykhailovov4ok793]

Маріє ви перлина нашої країни,ich bin stolz auf dir!

[@orlandodanilopaes173]

🤗💝🇧🇷👍👏👏👏

[@garyto75]

Does she study with Lutz Kirchhoff?

[@nastyaviks5209]

No, by Sam Chapman

[@DuoContinuo]

... and a little bit with us ;-)) ... Mariia learned to play the baroque guitar within 12 days. results, many first time recordings, you may find in our channel...with a kind invitation - S.

[@garyto75]

@@DuoContinuo ohhh thanks, hope meet you in germany this year, i will go to play. greetings.

[@sheddybhulji8196]

Pity not in english.....sounds great. Thanks

[@kwkw5711]

You can turn on English subtitles

[@kwkw5711]

Click on cc to turn on english subtitles

[@oaktadopbok665]

Tuning that thing must be a nightmare.

[@bulentbayr7906]

Most probably, tiorba..

[@viksnin]

teorban.

[@Andrey_A]

хотел посмотреть про интересный инструмент. но,видать,нет в современном мире интересных инструментов без оголтелой политоты.

[@Andrey_A]

в бытность свою,давным-давно,обучался классической гитаре. одной из первых разученных пьес была "чому я не сокіл" в переложении. и что,мне теперь считать её какой-то враждебной, идеологически неправильной? не собираюсь. она мне как нравилась-так и продолжает нравиться. что вы политоту пихаете во всё подряд? до музыки и инструментов уже добрались...

[@MsBossio]

Krasivaia Muzica. Zelensky caput

[@viksnin]

Glory to Ukraine! Zelensky hero! Слава Украине! Зеленский герой!