Friday, August 17, 2007

A Capella - Klapa Neverin (8 songs)


Klapa Neverin is a woman "a cappela" band from Kastel Luksic.

So called Dalmatian "klapa" songs are at the core of dalmatian music. "Klapa" in Dalmatian dialect means company or group, while in musical terms it refers to five-to-eight member ensembles. Traditionally, the ensemble consists only of male voices, but nowadays we witness the emergence of many mixed and female ensembles with a varying number of members.

Nevertheless, its basic characteristic and distinction are, and remain, solely vocal harmony-singing, only rarely discreetly and quietly accompanied by instruments. Part-singing, usually in four parts, is originally spontaneous, performed by the ear and not by following note recordings, so harmonization is simple. A low-pitched accompaniment is stressed by a larger number of singers, giving the songs a more intimate atmosphere.

Klapa songs have slow, free rhythm and are often without any measure mark (libero). Sometimes it even includes complex measures. The songs are usually quite serenade-like love songs, usually addressing a beloved girl. However, marry and satirical songs also exist. Regardless of a theme, they are always in a major key.

It is, therefore, not surprising that in the preservation of original folk music composers and musicologists-folklorists invested most of their effort into this particular segment. Consequently, a special annual festival of amateur Dalmatian singing was established in Omis - Festival of the Dalmatian klapas. In only few years, this festival has grown into a cultural institution of great importance and reputation. The lack of original records and the limited number of available songs prompted the composers to write more complex harmonizations to existing songs, as well as many entirely new songs, still respecting the tradition

No comments: