Cantu a tenore

The word {{lang|sc|tenore}} 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 {{lang|sc|taja}} in Gallura and {{lang|sc|concordu}} in Logudoro {{harv|Sassu|1978}}.

In the Barbagia region on the island of Sardinia, there are two different styles of polyphonic singing:

{{lang|sc|cuncordu}}, usually a form of sacred music, sung with regular voices, and {{lang|sc|tenore}}, usually a form of profane music, marked by the use of overtone singing.

File:Tenore Nuorese 1903.jpg

File:Map Folklore I 1990 - Polivocalità - Touring Club Italiano CART-TEM-096 (cropped).jpg

{{lang|sc|Cantu a tenore}} 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 (another meaning of {{lang|sc|tenore}}):

• {{lang|sc|'oche}} or {{lang|sc|boche}} (pronounced /oke/ or /boke/, 'voice') is the solo voice
• {{lang|sc|mesu 'oche}} or {{lang|sc|mesu boche}} is the 'half voice'
• {{lang|sc|contra}} is the 'counter'
• {{lang|sc|bassu}} as 'bass'

The {{lang|sc|bassu}} sings the same note sung by the {{lang|sc|'oche}}, and {{lang|sc|contra}} a fifth above the {{lang|sc|bassu}}. The {{lang|sc|'Oche}} and the {{lang|sc|mesu 'oche}} sing in a regular voice, whereas the {{lang|sc|contra}} and the {{lang|sc|bassu}} sing with a technique affecting the larynx.

The {{lang|sc|'oche}} 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, {{lang|sc|mesu 'oche}} imitates the sound of wind, while the {{lang|sc|contra}} imitates a sheep bleating and the {{lang|sc|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 {{lang|sc|tenore}} is sung to such an extent that the village can be immediately recognized.

File:Tenores di bitti mialinu pira 2.jpg]]

{{listen|pos=right|filename=Ballu Seriu Tenores di Bitti Mialinu Pira.ogg|title=Ballu Seriu starts with single voices (Oche, Bassu, Contra, Mesu Oche)|description=Tenores di Bitti Mialinu Pira Live recording in Modena, June 2011|type=music}}

Although nowadays {{lang|sc|cuncordu}} and {{lang|sc|cantu 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, {{lang|sc|cantu a tenore}} was performed back in Nuragic times.{{cn|date=May 2022}}

Some of the most well known groups who perform {{lang|sc|a tenore}} are {{lang|sc|italics=unset|Tenores di Bitti, Tenore de Orosei, Tenore di Oniferi}} and {{lang|sc|Tenores di Neoneli}}.

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last=Macchiarella |first=Ignazio |year=1990 |chapter=La polivocalità di tradizione orale in Italia |title="Le tradizioni popolari in Italia; canti e musiche popolari" a cura di Roberto Leydi |location=Milano |publisher=Electa |isbn=8843532464 }}
• {{cite book |last=Mercurio |first=Paolo |title=Dialogo del Canto a Tenore |location=Solinas, Nuoro |year=2001 }}
• {{cite book |last=Sassu |first=P. |year=1978 |title=La musica sarda |publisher=3 LPs and booklet, Albatros VPA 8150-52 |location=Milano }} Cited in {{Harvtxt|Macchiarella|1990}}.
• {{cite book |last=Mercurio |first=Paolo|title=Introduzione alla Musica Sarda|location=Narcissus, Milano |year=2014 |isbn=9788868850135 }}

{{refend}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-m3V1cwnPY Tenore singers on a mountain]

• Throat singing

{{External media|topic=Cantu a tenore on Youtube|video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWVCMvbGcPA=related Sardinian Pastoral Songs (Unesco)]}}

• [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
• [http://www.tenores.org/ Tenores.org]
• {{cite web|author=Dan Nosowitz|year=2019|title=The Many Pleasures of Sardinian Throat Singing|url=https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/sardinian-throat-singing|website=AtlasObscura}}

{{UNESCO Oral and Intangible music}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cantu A Tenore}}

Category:Italian folk music

Category:Music in Sardinia

Category:Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity

Category:A cappella

Category:Four-part harmony