The ( sc, su tenòre, su cuncòrdu, su cuntràttu, su cussèrtu, s'agorropamèntu, su cantu a pròa; it, canto a tenore) is a style of

polyphonic Polyphony ( ) is a type of musical texture consisting of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody, as opposed to a musical texture with just one voice, monophony, or a texture with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords, h ...

folk singing characteristic of the island of Sardinia ( Italy's second largest island), particularly the region of Barbagia, though some other Sardinian sub-regions bear examples of such tradition. In 2005, UNESCO proclaimed the to be an example of

intangible cultural heritage An intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is a practice, representation, expression, knowledge, or skill considered by UNESCO to be part of a place's cultural heritage. Buildings, historic places, monuments, and artifacts are cultural property. Int ...

.Omar Bandinu, Il canto a tenore, dai nuraghi all'Unesco, Siti, 16(2,3), 2006

Etymology

The word 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 in Gallura and in Logudoro . In the Barbagia region on the island of Sardinia, there are two different styles of polyphonic singing: , usually a form of sacred music, sung with regular voices, and , usually a form of profane music, marked by the use of overtone singing. Tenore Nuorese 1903

Technique

Map Folklore I 1990 - Polivocalità - Touring Club Italiano CART-TEM-096 (cropped)

is traditionally practised by groups of four male singers standing in a close circle. Each singer has a distinct role, here listed in descending pitch order—form a

chorus Chorus may refer to: Music * Chorus (song) or refrain, line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse * Chorus effect, the perception of similar sounds from multiple sources as a single, richer sound * Chorus form, song in which all verse ...

(another meaning of ): * or (pronounced /oke/ or /boke/, 'voice') is the solo voice * or is the 'half voice' * is the 'counter' * as 'bass' The sings the same note sung by the , and a fifth above the . The and the sing in a regular voice, whereas the and the sing with a technique affecting the

larynx The larynx (), commonly called the voice box, is an organ in the top of the neck involved in breathing, producing sound and protecting the trachea against food aspiration. The opening of larynx into pharynx known as the laryngeal inlet is about ...

. The sings a poetic text in Sardinian, 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, imitates the sound of wind, while the imitates a sheep bleating and the a cow lowing. The solo voice starts a

monodic In music, monody refers to a solo vocal style distinguished by having a single melodic line and instrumental accompaniment. Although such music is found in various cultures throughout history, the term is specifically applied to Italian song of ...

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 is sung to such an extent that the village can be immediately recognized.

Tradition

Although nowadays and are performed only by men, memories remain of a time where women groups performed as well, following the

matriarchal Matriarchy is a social system in which women hold the primary power positions in roles of authority. In a broader sense it can also extend to moral authority, social privilege and control of property. While those definitions apply in general E ...

tradition of Sardinia. According to some anthropologists, was performed back in Nuragic times. Some of the most well known groups who perform are and .

Notes

References

* * * Cited in . *

Listening

Tenore singers on a mountain

External links

The Oral Tradition of the a Tenore Song, an expression of Intangible heritage of the Sardinian pastoral cultureSardinian Music
- Buy Sardinian Music
Tenores.org
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Cantu A Tenore Italian folk music Music in Sardinia Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity A cappella Four-part harmony