Ryan Walt

Ryan Walt is a well known instrumentalist in South Africa. Ryan Walt is the stage name of "Rian van der Walt", the 34 year old pan pipe player. Having been in the South African music industry since 1994, he bridged the boundaries between white and black South Africans as well as Afrikaans and English speaking country men.

A musical career that spans 15 years, he made 10 albums and was featured on more than 20 different compilation albums under the Select Music Label. Most noticeable he launched a charitable tour that lasted 3 years and during this time raised 3,5 million Rand (USD 500,000) for organizations including CANSA (Cancer Association of Southern Africa).

Ryan plays the pan pipe, syrinx or panflute as it is known in South Africa. It is made of Spanish reeds which grow wild in South Africa. The bottom of the flute is covered with Oak or Imbuia wood. The reeds are varnished to make it easier to play.

All music made by Ryan is instrumental and is often confused with the music of Gheorghe Zamfir from Romania who made the instrument popular in Europe and in South Africa during the '70s and '80s

yrinx in classical music

Claude Debussy wrote "Syrinx (La Flute De Pan)" based on Pan's sadness over losing his love. This piece was the first unaccompanied flute solo of the 20th century, and remains a very popular addition to the modern flutist's repertoire. It was used as incidental music in the play Psyché by Gabriel Mourey.

Danish composer Carl Nielsen composed "Pan and Syrinx" (Pan og Syrinx), Op. 49, FS 87.