News
Exhibition commemorating the birthday of a famous bellows-driven instrument maker
16.02.2010
This year, on the 29th of August, 135 years will have passed since the birth of the bellows-driven instrument maker August Teppo. For this occasion, a photo exhibition by the Võrumaa Museum titled "The Sound of Teppo's Instruments" will be held held at the foyer of the Estonian Traditional Music Center. Võrumaa Museum has celebrated the birthday of the famous craftsman for 10 years already by organising a bellows-driven instrument day where all the Old-Võrumaa bellows-driven instrument players and people who own one of Teppo's instruments convene.
The owner of the oldest instrument which was made in 1896, Heinar Kahar from Põlva has perfomed at 9 of these events. Other players own instruments which were made during the second decade of the XX century and later. All in all, the bellows-driven instrument days have attracted 41 players and 18 of Teppo's instruments have played at these events. However, time leaves its mark on both people and instruments. Many of the people who owned Teppo's instruments in the 1970s have now passed away but their instruments keep changing owners. Our oldest player Elmar Ruusamäe from Võru who has given new life to several instruments including several of Teppo's instuments, is the one who looks after the instruments and keeps them in good condition. Unfortunately, the number of Teppo's instruments is limited, thus, Heino Tartes from Valgjärve has started to make new instruments with which most of the men from Põlva now play.
The exhibition held in the Estonian Traditional Music Center is part of the 10th bellows-driven instruments day display which introduces August Teppo's life and work. Some of the instruments he made are displayed on photos.
The exhibition was compiled by Maimu Telk and Tiia Haug was responsible for the design.