Artifact Highlight: The Concert Zither

This month, we are highlighting the concert zither. Concert zithers typically feature 28–29 strings and include a fretted fingerboard similar to that of a guitar. The instrument is played horizontally, resting on the lap or a table. The performer plucks and strums the strings to produce both melody and accompaniment.

The zither is widely recognized as a folk instrument with deep roots tracing back to ancient China, particularly the fretless guqin. This instrument was revered as sacred and believed to connect players with the divine. Over centuries, similar instruments such as the siter, koto, and valiha evolved and spread westward, eventually taking hold in Central Europe. By the 19th century, the zither gained traction in Bavaria and Austria, where it was known as the volkzither. The early volkzither had 20 strings and could produce music in only three keys. The instrument’s limited capabilities discouraged many musicians from playing it in large circles, until Viennese musician Johann Petzmayer toured Europe with it. From then on, the volkzither gained widespread popularity in Europe. Later, in 1862, instrument maker Max Amberger developed the zither into what we now know as the modern concert zither, further increasing its popularity throughout the region.

During this period, the instrument flourished in domestic music-making. Its portability and versatility made it especially popular among German immigrants in the United States. There, it became a quintessential parlor instrument, fostering community and a sense of nostalgia. A resurgence of international attention came in 1949, when Anton Karas’s iconic zither score for the film, The Third Man, introduced global audiences to its distinctive sound and secured its place in cinematic history.

Be sure to visit Gallery 4: Beyond the Instruments to see our beautiful concert zither, crafted by Walter E. Sandner and donated in memory of Roland H. Klotz.