Morna: The Traditional Folk Music of Corsica

Morna is the traditional folk music of Corsica, and is known for its melancholy and emotive sound. This type of music is often used to tell stories of love, loss, and hope.

What is Morna?

Morna is a type of traditional folk music that originates from the Mediterranean island of Corsica. The music is characterized by its slower, more melancholic tempo and its use of the native Corsican language. The lyrics of morna songs often deal with themes of love, loss, and nostalgia.

The origins of morna are unclear, but the style is thought to have developed in the 18th or 19th century. It became popularized in the 20th century by musicians such as Vincenti Simonelli and Charles Bruni. Morna has been described as “the soul of Corsica” and is one of the most significant aspects of the island’s cultural heritage.

Though it is not as widely known as other types of folk music, morna has been gaining international popularity in recent years. In 2001, UNESCO recognized morna as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.” If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating musical tradition, be sure to check out some of the links below!

The History of Morna

Morna is a traditional folk music from the Mediterranean island of Corsica. The music is characterized by its use of the pentatonic scale and its melancholic lyrics. Morna has been around for centuries and has been passed down from generation to generation.

Morna’s Origins

Morna is a type of traditional Corsican music that is thought to have originated in the 18th century. It is characterized by its slow, sad, and melancholic melodies. The lyrics of morna songs often deal with themes of love, loss, and nostalgia.

Some scholars believe that morna may have its origins in the music of the African slaves who were brought to Corsica during the 18th century. Others believe that it is a descendant of Italian folk music. Whatever its origins, morna has become an integral part of Corsican culture and identity.

In recent years, morna has experienced a renaissance in popularity, both on the island of Corsica and among Corsican diaspora communities around the world. In 2001, UNESCO recognized morna as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”

Morna’s golden age

Morna is a folk music genre originating from the Mediterranean island of Corsica. It is a vocal music, typically accompanied by guitar, mandolin, and sometimes other instruments. The lyrics are usually in Corsican or French, and the song topics can be about love, loss, work, or social commentary.

Morna’s golden age began in the late 19th century and continued through the early 20th century. This was a time of great cultural flourishing for the Corsican people, and morna became an important part of Corsican identity. Many of the most famous morna singers and musicians came from this period, including Angelo Pisu, Maria Moriani, and Lucien Marie-Magdeleine.

During the golden age of morna, the genre became increasingly popular with tourists and non-Corsicans alike. Recordings of morna began to be made for sale outside of Corsica, and the music started to be performed in Parisian cafes and theaters. By the early 20th century, morna had become one of the best-known types of Corsican music.

The Instruments of Morna

Morna is the traditional folk music of Corsica, and is most commonly played on the island’s national instrument, the cetera. The cetera is a multi-stringed instrument that is plucked or strummed, and is similar to a lute or mandolin. Morna is usually played in a minor key, and is known for its melancholy, nostalgic sound.

The launeddas

The launeddas is a traditional folk instrument of Corsica, dating back to the 12th century. It is a type of triplepipe, traditionally played by shepherds. The launeddas is made up of three pipes, two of which are connected to a reed, and the third pipe is for blowing air. The instrument can be played either solo or in pairs.

The cetera

Morna is a slow and melancholic folk music from the Mediterranean island of Corsica. It is usually performed with the instruments shown below, which are all traditional to the island.

The cetera is a Corsican folk instrument similar to the guitar. It has six or seven strings and is played with the fingers or a pick. The cetera is used in many different genres of music, including morna.

The accordion is a portable keyboard instrument with bellows that force air through reeds, causing them to vibrate and produce sound. The accordion is used in many different genres of music, including morna.

The double bass is a large string instrument that is played with a bow or plucked with the fingers. The double bass is used in many different genres of music, including morna.

The mandolin is a small, stringed instrument that is played with a pick or the fingers. The mandolin is used in many different genres of music, including morna.

The mandolin

The mandolin is a string instrument that has a long history in Europe, particularly in Italy and France. It was brought to Corsica in the 18th century by Italian troubadours who were popular at the time. The Corsican style of mandolin playing is very different from the Italian style. In Corsica, the mandolin is used as a solo instrument, whereas in Italy it is used more as an accompaniment to singing.

The Corsican mandolin has five courses (strings) instead of the usual four, and it is tuned in a lower range than the Italian mandolin. This gives it a richer, mellower sound. The body of the Corsican mandolin is larger than the Italian mandolin, and it has a different shaped head. The neck is also longer, which makes it possible to play two octaves on one string.

The Corsican mandolinists use a special picking technique which gives their music a very distinctive sound. They often use three fingers of the right hand (the index finger, middle finger and ring finger) instead of a pick.

The Music of Morna

Morna is the traditional folk music of Corsica, and is said to be the island’s most popular genre of music. Morna is usually sung in the Corsican language, and is often played on the guitar. The lyrics of morna oftentimes deal with themes of love, loss, and nostalgia.

The structure of a morna

One of the defining features of morna is its simple and repetitive structure. A typical morna is built around three or four chords, with a characteristic minor key melody. The verses usually consist of just a few lines of text, which are repeated several times. The refrain (the hook or chorus) is also repeated several times throughout the song. This repetition makes morna songs easy to remember and sing along to.

Morna songs are typically slow and melancholy, with a feeling of nostalgic longing. The lyrics often deal with themes of love, loss, and separation. This reflects the history of the Corsican people, who have long been oppressed and forced into exile.

Despite its simple structure, morna is a highly expressive and emotional music form. The best morna singers are able to convey a deep sense of feeling in their performances. This feeling is often described as “melancholy beauty.”

The melody of a morna

The melody of a morna is always sung in minor key and generally has a slow, sad feel to it. The lyrics often deal with themes of love, loss, and nostalgia. The morna was traditionally sung by men as a way to express their emotions and to court women. The instrumentation of a morna typically includes the accordion, guitar, and violin.

The lyrics of a morna

A morna is a type of traditional folk music from the Mediterranean island of Corsica. It is characterized by its slow, lilting rhythms and melancholy lyrics, which often reflect the struggles of everyday life.

Mornas are typically sung in Corsican, French, or Italian, and many have been adapted from older Italian songs. The music is often accompanied by simple acoustic instruments such as the ukulele-like cetera or guitar.

The best-known morna is “Nulla è impossibile” (“Nothing is impossible”), which was popularized by the legendary Corsican singer Maria Severa. Other well-known mornas include “Una storia sbagliata” (“A mistaken story”) and “Si tcellu ch’elli dice” (“The way he says it”).

Corsican Folklore and Morna

Corsican folk music is largely defined by the morna, a melancholy ballad sung in Corsican and Italian. The lyrics of a morna are often about love and loss, longing for home, or social injustice. The music is often accompanied by the cetera, a Corsican string instrument.

The Legend of the Three Kings

The Three Kings are a popular motif in European folklore. The story goes that three wise men from the East followed a star to Bethlehem, where they presented the infant Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In Corsican folklore, the Three Kings are known as the “Giovanni,” or “Johanis.” They are said to visit Corsica on Epiphany Eve, bringing gifts to good children and coal to naughty children.

The Three Kings are also said to be able to cure the sick. According to legend, a sick child was once left at the base of a tree in a forest near Bastia. The child’s father had made a promise to the Three Kings that if they cured his son, he would build a chapel in their honor. The child was miraculously healed, and the father kept his promise. The Chapel of the Three Kings still stands in the forest today.

The Legend of the Shepherdess and the Beast

In Corsican folklore, the Legend of the Shepherdess and the Beast tells the story of a young woman who is transformed into a monstrous beast after her beloved sheep are killed by a band of robbers. The shepherdess is said to have wandered the island for years, attacking anyone who came near her flock. Eventually, she was captured by a group of hunters and taken to the king. The king decreed that she should be put to death, but the queen pleaded for her life and instead ordered that she be locked away in a tower. There, she lived out her days in misery until she was finally freed by a young prince who had heard of her story.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the music of Corsica is rich and varied, with a wide array of influences. The island’s traditional folk music, known as morna, is a truly unique and important part of the island’s cultural heritage. If you have the opportunity to visit Corsica, be sure to check out some of the traditional music!