Track 7 - Ballu

Here is an example of the singing tradition that inspired this arrangement:

The concept of this song is taken from an old tradition in Sardinia (a small island off of the West coast of Italy) called “Cantu A Tenore“. In which the performers would mimic different livestock with the sounds and ranges that they would occupy with their voices. This particular song is based on one of those songs. Here is a more detailed excerpt from Wikipedia:

“Cantu a tenore is traditionally practised by groups of four male singers standing in a close circle.[1] Each singer has a distinct role, here listed in descending pitch order—form a chorus (another meaning of tenore):

• 'oche or boche (pronounced /oke/ or /boke/, 'voice') is the solo voice

• mesu 'oche or mesu boche is the 'half voice'

• contra is the 'counter'

• bassu as 'bass'

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