Wednesday 8 October at 8 p.m.

Teatro alle Tese – Arsenale

ALTRE RADICI (Other Roots)

Cantadores a chiterra de deris, de oe e de sempre, Canto in Re, Nuoresa, Muttos

Cuncordu di Castelsardo, Miserere processionale de Lunissanti, Chirie, Tedeum

followed by:
No Border [world premiere]

Franco D’Andrea piano

Fabrizio Bosso trumpet

Trilok Gurtu percussion
followed by:
Cuncordu di Castelsardo, Yesus, Eran Quasi, Miserere processionale del Venerdì Santo

Cantadores a chiterra de deris, de oe e de sempre, Galluresa, Filognana, Corsicana, Trallalleru, Disisperada

The great percussionist and player of Indian tabla, Trilok Gurtu, jazz players Franco D’Andrea and Fabrizio Bosso, the Sardinian “Cuncordu” e “Cantadores a chiterra de deris, de oe a de sempre” choruses are an expression of the vitality of music in which different history and geography converge, integrating ancient traditions and modern experimentation.

The Cuncordu di Castelsardo choir introduces this section of the Festival dedicated to “other roots”, this being intended as the place in which the identity of the various cultures of the world can express itself, with a repertoire ranging from the devotional song of Castelsardo to the lay songs associated with dance. Sung for years in the processions of Holy Week, the Cuncordu has helped keep alive a precious heritage that has been passed down orally since 1500.

The "canto a cuncordu" is the most archaic ethnic musical expression of central Sardinia. It is sung by four singers called Bassu (bass), Contra (baritone), Mesa oghe (half voce), Boghe (voice), disposed in a circle in order to reproduce the architectural form of the ancient Sardinian culture, the nuraghe. The origins of this extremely old choral song apparently date back 4000 years and are closely tied to the pastoral life: “sa contra” supposedly derives from the imitation of a sheep’s bleating, “su bassu” the lowing of cattle and the “mesa oghe” from the imitation of the sound of the wind. The liturgical songs also belong to the oldest vocal tradition of Sardinia and are Gregorian in the form; they were sung during processions. The songs of Holy Week, which were also used by the confraternities, were of particular importance.

The same evening will offer the more recent tradition of the Cantadores a chiterra, also from Sardinia and which were born in the context of convivial evenings between friends in bars, wine-cellars or in the country, spent eating snacks and drinking good Sardinian wine. These were extempore events, during which the Cantadores wood show off in open sung challenges, in which all those present could participate, singing “Boghe Rea”, today “Canto in Re”.