Listen:
Iscurtade
Ninnidu a giogu

Sardinian polyphony is usually performed by male ensembles such as Tenores di Bitti, so it makes a refreshing change to hear an all-female quintet performing this strange yet wonderful music. The use of five voices produces a lush, rich sound and they cover an astonishing tonal range, with the bass part sometimes descending to astonishing depths. As the album title Canti delle Donne Sarde (Songs Of Sardinian Women) suggests, all the tracks are in the Sardinian folk tradition, although the sources of the songs are partly traditional and partly composed. Some of the texts are provided by Paolo Pillonca, who is a journalist, writer and expert on the oral poetry of Sardinia. The vocal textures are augmented by the instrumental contribution of Orlando Mascia on launeddas (Sardinian triple reed flute), sulitu (traditional flute), trunfa (jew's harp), sonetu (accordeon) and percussion. It takes a little acclimatisation to adjust to the unusual vocal harmonies, and Mascia's playing serves as an anchoring point, adds variety and maintains the freshness of the sound by supplying short instrumental interludes. There is an ancient, almost medieval quality about polyphony, and the use of the traditional Sardinian instruments serves to heighten this. This impressive album will please those already familiar with Sardinian polyphony and is also an accessible starting point for the uninitiated. - Michael Hingston, fROOTS

Musicians:
Valeria Pilia - boghe sola
Alessandra Leo - boghe de punta
Manuela Sanna - boghe de punta
Roberta Locci - boghe mediana
Valeria Parisi - boghe de suta
with: Orlando Mascia - launeddas, sonetu, trunfia, triangle, sulitu, tumbarinu

Songs of the Sardinian women
From the Sardinia of the Tenores di Bitti an original project dedicated to the female polyphony. Songs of love and sacred songs, lullabies and popular dances, funeral laments and serenades. A polyphonic quintet of fascinating female voices made up of Alessandra Leo, Roberto Locci, Valeria Parisi, Manuela Sanna and led by the deep voice of Valeria Pilia.

Side by side with this quintet, we have a great expounder of Sardinian music, the virtuoso musician Orlando Mascia, an expert of traditional Sardinian music and a specialist player of traditional musical instruments such as the “launeddas” (flute with 3 reeds), the “sulitu” (traditional flute), the “trunfa” (jew’s harp) and the “organetto” (accordion) which he uses to dialog with the voices of the group. Introduction by Giovanna Marini.