Tenores

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Tenores is a style of polyphony folk singing characteristic of the Barbagia region of the island of Sardinia, even though some other Sardinian sub-regions bear examples of such tradition.

This style of singing is characterized by four male voices called (ranging from highest to lowest) mesa 'oche, 'oche, contra and bassu. The main melody is carried by the leader of the group, who is termed the sa 'oche. The two voices named "bassu" and "contra" sing with a peculiar metallic timbre. The "bassu" sings the same note sung by the "oche", and "contra" a fifth above the "bassu". The texts vary, in a given song they usually follow a pattern of a defined number of syllables that might be a love verse, a satirical verse, and might even contain nonsense syllables in order to complete the strophic pattern. The leader 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 word tenores, 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).


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[edit] 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.

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