LAUNEDDAS by EFISIO MELIS e ANTONIO LARA (Sardegna)

Launeddas is a traditional music instrument of Sardinia; a unique instrument in the world. It is formed by three pipes played at the same time, while the players with a circular breathing technique keeps the air blow continuos and constant. Of very old origins, there are drawings of Launeddas already in the VI century BC, it was mainly used in different occasion but especially for the dance repertoire.

Played by entire generation of professional musicians, it had in Efisio Melis and Antonio Lara its greatest players of this century. Since Launeddas is a typical solo instruments the presence of two or more players is very rare, generally is was reserved in the occasion of very tough skill contests. The present CD contains historical recordings (1930 and 1961) and is a very exceptional event: MELIS and LARA were competitors but they respected each other and in these recordings they demonstrate their imagination and dextery using, for each tune, different cunzertus, Launeddas with different tunings.
Each one of the two soloists gives a personal version of the tunes, LARA maintains an old approach proper of his area, Sarrabus, while MELIS shows here and there the great technical ability who made of him a living legend.

This CD at the same time testify a great musical culture, that only today beginning to be widely recognised, a very old and magic instrument, today almost disappeared, and two among the greatest players of it.

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