Cante Alentejano - Nomination file no. 01007 ‘Cante Alentejano is a genre of traditional polyphonic singing in two parts with no accompanying instruments. A vast repertoire of traditional poetry (modas) is set to existing or newly created melodies (estilos). Men’s choral groups predominate, however, there is an increasing number of women’s, mixed and children’s groups. Consisting of up to 30 members, voices in each choral group are arranged in three roles: ponto, alto and baixos (chorus). The ponto, in the lower range, starts the singing followed by the alto, a voice in the higher range that duplicates the melody a third or a tenth above the ponto, often adding ornaments. Following the alto’s brief solo section, or taking over from the ponto, the entire choral group sings the remaining stanzas of the moda in parallel thirds. The alto is the guiding voice being heard above the group. Singers stand in close physical proximity and are deeply engaged in emotionally intense unity of voices. Cante is characterized by its melodies, lyrics and vocal style. Extant documentation going back over one hundred years, attests to the stability of its melodic features. At the same time, new lyrics and melodies have been created, reflecting changes in the cultural and social context, while maintaining traditional themes referring to life in the rural world, nature, love, motherhood and religion. Regional vocabulary and local accent are also essential ingredients in the interpretation of cante. This manifestation is recognized both within and outside the region as the main marker of Alentejo’s identity’. Nomination file no. 01007 for Inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014
Posted on: Thu, 27 Nov 2014 22:16:38 +0000