(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:
Here's another puzzle. The man who painted the "Mona Lisa," and was the first to sketch out the helicopter and the submarine, also dabbled in music. So here's the question: What musical instrument did Leonardo da Vinci design? There isn't an easy answer. His 15th century sketches show something between a harpsichord and a cello, where spinning wheels of horsehair run along the strings. He named it the viola organista.
Leonardo never did build the instrument. Others tried with varied results. Now, after four years, Polish pianist Slawomir Zubrzycki has managed to bring the curious instrument to life. Last month, he unveiled the organista, revealing its unique sounds.
He spoke recently with the AFP news agency
SLAWOMIR ZUBRZYCKI: (Through Translator) This is precisely the drawing by Leonardo da Vinci that is the basis for this instrument. It does not contain all the necessary information, but it is more than enough to understand the concept of this instrument.
(Foreign language spoken)
(APPLAUSE)
MARTIN: Zubrzycki played the viola organista before an enthusiastic audience in Krakow, Poland. You can see the instrument and watch part of that performance on our website, nprmusic.org.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC, APPALUSE AND CHEERING)
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