Musical instruments in the Baltic region: Historiography and traditions

The Baltica term with conventional rather than rational implicationscan be used as a general frame to arrange a multitude of organological facts from historically, linguistically, and denominationally different musical culturesEstonian (EE), Latvian (LV) and Lithuanian (LT). The first part of the article deals with the documentation of instrumental music, as well as the research and significant publications of the period from the 13th century until the end of the 20th century. Arranged in chronological groups, these publications mark a synchronic regional perspective and outline some significant steps in the development of organological thought. Basic functional groups of musical instruments and music are discussed in the second part. Thus, this article describes the instruments and the music related to the Baltic peoples economic (mainly herding) activities, social events and religious practices. Further, it examines musical instruments used for contemplation and dance in their terminological, morphological, musical, symbolic, and historical contexts.