Ancient Multi-part European Folk Singing - Polyphony Part 1

Fair Folk Podcast

The first in a series on vocal polyphony, this episode gives credit to the ancient origins of vocal polyphony in rural community practices, looking specifically at the polyphony of Lithuania, whose sutartinės are a symbol of the nation's strong pre-christian folk heritage. Music: "Georgia: Vocal" by Greek Orthodox Church Choir "Vay, More" (Oh, the Sea) by The Women's Folklore Ensemble of Staraya Terizmorga Chant dedicated to St. Boniface, patron saint of Germany, 10th century by Quintin Beer and John Clapham "Responsory: Favus Distillans" by Anonymous 4 "Äs Zäuerli" by Öse Schuppel Latvian Song recorded by Andres Jurian in 1895 by Ensemble Sausejas "Kaval Sviri (The Flute Plays)" by Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir "Porazh Veles" (Porazh Village) by The Women's Folklore Ensemble of Staraya Terizmorga "Trep Trepo, Martela" by Trys Keturiose "Kas Tar Taka" by Obelija "Kā Palinkai, Berželi?" (Recorded 1939) "Ka Palinkai, Berželi" by Jievaras "Daudas" by Kūlgrinda "Vakarinė Žvaigždelė" by Kūlgrinda "Responsory: Favus distillans" by Anonymous 4 This episode relied heavily on books and articles by Joseph Jordania and Daiva Račiūnaitė-Vyčinienė. Special thanks to Eglė Česnakavičiūtė of the band Obelija for assisting research, translating and explaining sutartinės for me. Image: An elderly group of sutartinės singers from the village of Smilgiai dancing, by Balys Biračas, 1936. Found in Daiva Račiūnaitė-Vyčinienė's "The Archaic Lithuanian Polyphonic Chant Sutartinė." Lituanus 52, 2006.