Sardinia is probably the most culturally distinct
of all the regions in Italy and, musically, is best-known for the
tenores polyphonic chant, sacred songs called gozos
and launeddas, an ancient instrument that consist in a
set of three single-reed pipes, all three mouth-blown
simultaneously using circular breathing, with two chanters and one
drone
Launeddas
Launeddas is an ancient instrument, dating
back to at least the 8th century BC, they are played using
circular breathing.Launeddas are used to
play a complex style of music that has achieved some international
attention, and they are still played during religious ceremonies
and dances (
su ballu).Some of the most famous player were
Efisio Melis,
Antonio Lara,
Dionigi Burranca e
Luigi Lai.
Many of the launeddas musicians are from de
south of the island from villages like Villaputzu
, San
Vito
and Muravera
in the
subregion named Sarrabus, or from Samatzai
but even
from Cabras near Oristano
and Ovodda
near
Nuoro
. Distinctively, they are played using
extensive variations on a few melodic phrases and, because of the
technique of circular breathing, a single song can last over an
hour.
Cantu a chiterra
Traditional singing accompanied by guitar
cantu a chiterra is also found in
Sardinia, represented by performers like Luiginu Cossu, Maria
Carta, and nowadays Franco
Denanni; this genre is especially well-known in the northwest
region of Logudoro near the city of
Sassari
and in the northeast region of Gallura.
Polyphonic singing
Rural polyphonic chanting known as
cantu a
tenore is sung with four vocal parts. They are
bassu (bass),
mesa boghe (middle),
contra (counter) and
boghe (leader and soloist).
The most popular group is
Tenores di
Bitti, and others include
Tenores
de Oniferi.
In November 2005 The A Tenore vocal
style of the Sardinian pastoral culture was proclaimed a Masterpiece
of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO
.
Other traditional singing, dance and music
Sacred
gozos (in Sardinian language gosos), or sacred
songs, can be heard during religious celebrations, sung by choruses
like Su Cuncordu 'e su
Rosariu.
Traditional dances include
ballu tundu,
passu torrau,
durdurinu,
dillu,
logudoresa,
arroxiada,
passu e trese, and
campidanesa
Aside from
the launeddas, traditional instruments include benas
, organittu, chiterra,
tamburrinos.
Other influential Sardinian musicians include
Totore Chessa (
organetto), 1930s launeddas legend
Efisio Melis,
Maria
Carta,
Mauro Palmas,
Elena Ledda of
Sonos and
Suonofficina,
Cordas et Cannas,
Antonello Salis piano,
Paolo Fresu (
trumpet) and
Gesuino
Deiana (
guitar).
Musical and theatrical facilities
The modern
Teatro Comunale of Cagliari
is home to the permanent Choir and Orchestra of the
Opera and Concert Association of Cagliari and seat of the Cagliari
Opera Foundation. As well, there is a Roman amphitheater in
Cagliari that is used for outdoor summer concerts and festivals.
The city is the site of
Palestrina music
conservatory.
The town
of Tadasuni
is the site of one of the interesting Giovanni Dore
museum, a collection of 400 traditional Sardinian folk
instruments. The Ente Musicale di Nuoro was founded
in 1987 and, among other activities, sponsors the annual Nuoro
Jazz Festival directed by trumpeter Paolo Fresu. Sassari is the site
of the Luigi Canepa music conservatory,
the Teatro Politeama Verdi, built in 1884 and the Civic Theatre
(1827).
Hymns and Anthems
S'hymnu sardu
nationale was the official anthem of
Kingdom of Sardinia and Piedmont, it was
written in
Sardinian Language, by
Vittorio Angius, in 1842. It was
also the first italian Anthem, substituted by the
Marcia Reale (Royal March of Ordinance),
in 1861.
Dimonios (Devils) is the official hymn of
Sassari Mechanized Brigade,
written in Sardinian
Logudorese language,
in 1915.
References
- A. F. W. Bentzon, The
Launeddas. A Sardinian folk music instrument (2 voll.
Acta Musicologica Danica n°1), Akademisk Forlag,
Copenaghen, 1969
- A. F. W. Bentzon, Launeddas, Cagliari, 2002 ISBN
8888998004
- Surian, Alessio. "Tenores and Tarantellas". 2000. In Broughton,
Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla
(Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the
Middle East, pp. 189 - 201
- Guide Cultura, i luoghi della music (2003), ed.
Touring Club Italiano.
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