Tenores

"Canto a tenore" is a style of polyphonic folk singing characteristic of the Barbagia region of the island of Sardinia (Italy), even though some other Sardinian sub-regions bear examples of such tradition.

The word "tenore", itself, is not to be confused with the word "tenor" as a simple description of vocal register; it refers to the actual style of folk singing and is distinguished from other similar styles called by different names in different places on the island, such as "taja" in Gallura and "concordu" in Logudoru (Sassu 1978).In the Barbagia region on the island of Sardinia, there are two different styles of polyphonic singing:"cuncordu", usually a form of sacred music, sung with regular voices, and "tenore", usually a form of profane music, marked by the use of overtone singing. A "tenore" is practised by groups of four male singers each of whom has a distinct role; the "oche" or "boche" (pronounced /oke/ or /boke/, "voice") is the solo voice, while the "mesu oche" or "mesu boche" ("half voice"), "contra" ("counter") and "bassu" ("bass") - listed in descending pitch order - form a chorus (another meaning of "tenore"). The "bassu" sings the same note sung by the "oche", and "contra" a fifth above the "bassu". "Oche" and "mesu oche" sing in a regular voice, whereas "contra" and "bassu" sing with a technique affecting the larynx. The "oche" sings a poetic text, which can be of epic, historic, satirical, amorous or even protest genre. The chorus consists of nonsense syllables (for example "bim-bam-boo"). According to popular tradition, "mesu oche" imitates the sound of wind, while the "contra" imitates a sheep bleating and the "bassu" a cow lowing. The solo voice starts a monodic vocal line and is then joined by the others as he indicates to them to join in. The effect is somewhat that of a round except that the points where the other singers join in vary and, thus, the harmonies vary from version to version. The execution differs in details between each of the villages where a "tenore" is sung to such an extent that the village can be immediately recognized. Although nowadays "cucordu" and "canto a tenore" are performed only by men, memories remain of a time where women groups performed as well, following the matriarchal tradition of Sardinia. According to some anthropologists, "canto a tenore" was performed back in nuraghe civilisation. In 2005, Unesco classed the "canto a tenore" among intangible world heritage [ [http://www.sitiunesco.it/attach/unesco/docs/siti_5_bandinu.pdf Omar Bandinu, Il canto a tenore, dai nuraghi all'Unesco, Siti, 16(2,3), 2006] ] .

Some of the most well known groups who perform a tenore are Tenores di Bitti, Tenores de Orosei, Tenores di Oniferi and Tenores di Neoneli.

Notes

References

*Macchiarella , Ignazio. (1990) "La polivocalità di tradizione orale in Italia" in "Le tradizioni popolari in Italia; canti e musiche popolari", Milano: Electa, 1990.

*Sassu, P. (1978) "La musica sarda", 3 LPs and booklet, Albatros VPA 8150-52, Milano, cited in Ignazio Macchiarella, "La polivocalità di tradizione orale in Italia" in "Le tradizioni popolari in Italia; canti e musiche popolari", Milano: Electa, 1990.

External links

* [http://www.unesco.org/culture/intangible-heritage/18eur_uk.htm The Oral Tradition of the a Tenore Song, an expression of Intangible heritage of the Sardinian pastoral culture]
* [http://www.sardinianmusic.com Sardinian Music] - Buy Sardinian Music