Al Tei – Chants from World War I – Various Instruments and Vocals Concert
Music
Description
Description
“Al tei”, as the linden tree is called in the Ladin language, is an important symbol to many European cultures. The Celts considered it to be an essential element of their social life. In ancient times, in fact, it was customary to plant a linden tree in the centre of a village, to celebrate the birth of a new community. “Al tei”, therefore, could represent a common value to cultures that are seemingly different, but that are actually linked by a similar story.
The Al Tei group was formed in 1999 under the branches of the symbolic linden, from the union of musicians coming from experiences, backgrounds and interests in some cases radically different. An encounter of diverse genres and styles that shape the originality of the group.
The innovative and unique set of original compositions originates from a deep, serious historical and musical research in the field of popular and folk music. It starts from the Dolomites, from the province of Belluno (Italy), to extend its branches to the whole European popular tradition. Over the years, a repertoire presenting a great variety of themes, melodies, music and popular songs was born and developed from the love of the research on tradition. These songs and themes were recovered, arranged and re-proposed in a personal way, also thanks to the variety of instruments accompanying the vocals, which give life to intense sounds: Celtic harp, guitar, flutes, diatonic accordion, dulcimer, bagpipes, percussion, violin, mandola, double bass, and others, according to the formation.
The long artistic activity of Al Tei, filled with curiosity, passion, readiness for dialogue and willingness to listen, led to the production of a dozen CDs and to numerous performances in Italy and abroad, in theatres, halls, churches, castles, all the way to the most prestigious festivals and shows.
PROGRAMME
“If I were a swallow…”
1914 -18 Songs of war, life and suffering
One hundred years after the end of the First World War, the group “Al Tei” presents to the public a musical journey across the most beautiful songs of the war popular repertoire. The goal is to encourage people to reflect on the historical, cultural and social implications of this tragic event.
The enormous tragedy of World War I represents a turning point for the modern western society, which has transformed itself from a still archaic and rural world into a disillusioned and wounded one.
The extremely vast musical production linked to the war witnesses that also music was severely influenced by the conflict. Ancient songs of the popular culture are taken and reshaped in order to express suffering, grief, anger, homesickness, but also triumphalism and excitement. The origins of these songs go back to ballads and folk melodies that become war songs through the use of new lyrics, related to what is happening. Music for the soldiers and also for the people waiting at home was the only way to feel consolation, love, encouragement in such a desperate situation.
The selection of songs wants to provide the public with a wide range of sceneries and emotions that can somehow explain the war phenomenon from a human point of view.
This concert aims to show how, in the most terrible tragedies of history, popular culture survives and transforms itself continuously to create an outstanding repertoire of aesthetic, historical, human and emotional value.
– Fuoco e mitragliatrici
– Monte Canino
– Ta pum
– Ai preat
– Dove sei stato mio bell’alpino
– Marcette
– Ti ricordi la sera dei baci
– Ponte di Perati
– Monti Scarpazi
– Stelutis alpinis by Arturo Zardini
– Bombardano Cortina
– Gorizia
– Monte Pasubio by Bepi De Marzi
– Oh Dio del cielo
Guitar, voice, percussion：Pina Sabatini [Italy]
Diatonic accordion, mandolin, dulcimer, clarinet, percussion：Andrea Da Cortà [Italy]
Flutes, Vocals：Sandro Del Duca [Italy]
Double bass：Mauro Canton [Italy]
Info
Free
Indoor
Non-local
