Cantu a tenore
| Canto a tenore, Sardinian pastoral songs | |
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| Country | Italy |
| Domains | Music |
| Criteria | ??? |
| Reference | 00165 |
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| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2008 (3rd session) |
| List | Representative |
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| Cantu a tenore on Youtube | |
 Sardinian Pastoral Songs (Unesco)
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The cantu a tenòre (also known in Sardinian language as su tenòre, su cuncòrdu, su cuntràttu, su cussèrtu, s'agorropamèntu, su cantu a pròa) or canto a tenore in Italian 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.
In 2005, Unesco classed the cantu a tenore among intangible world heritage.
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 Logudoro (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, here 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. The 'Oche and the mesu 'oche sing in a regular voice, whereas the contra and the 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.
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Wikipedia