NPR's Sarah Chayes reports on the rebirth of the rich musical tradition of the French island of Corsica. Back in the 1970's, when musicologists first started reviving ancient folk melodies, French authorities worried the songs could fuel separatism. Corsican nationalists did, indeed, use the island's unique polyphonic singing style to boost support for their cause. But many musicians object to the notion that their art is political. (5:45) You can find this music at http://www.corsicata.com/en/
There is also other Corsican music available from Harmonia Mundia, a US distributed label Harmonia Mundi HMC 901256 title: Corsica chants polyphoniques E Voce di u Cumune they have a web site http://www.harmoniamundi.com/hmUS/homeUS.asp Also there is a little shop in Corsica if you speak French. 011 334 9550
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