La Cantiga de la Serena – La Novia (Zero Nove Nove, 2023)
La Novia marks the fourth release from the Italian trio La Cantiga de la Serena, an ensemble comprising Fabrizio Piepoli, Giorgia Santoro, and Adolfo La Volpe. Since their inception in 2008, La Cantiga de la Serena has focused on reviving and reinterpreting ancient and traditional music from the Mediterranean region. Following their previous albums, La Serena (2016), La Fortuna (2019), and La Mar (2021), this latest endeavor reflects their ongoing commitment to exploring and presenting a repertoire that fosters musical and cultural exchange between the Western and Eastern Mediterranean traditions.
The ensemble’s music is deeply grounded in the enduring Sefardita (Sephardic) tradition, which reflects the cultural heritage of Spanish Jews. Indeed, their exquisitely crafted sound encompasses a diverse range of songs, including Spanish narrative romance ballads and tarantellas from various cultures and historical periods. This fusion achieves a delicate balance between innovation and tradition, with the Apulian roots serving as a central point from which their artistic exploration radiates across the Mediterranean landscape.
The album’s title, La Novia (The Bride), carries profound symbolic significance, resonating with mystical, esoteric, and philosophical themes deeply ingrained in the traditional cultures of the Mediterranean. It evokes the enduring power of love’s promise, transcending temporal and cultural boundaries.
Central to their artistic vision is the concept of symbolic marriage, wherein songs, languages, and traditions converge to give rise to new artistic creations. This thematic underpinning serves as the cornerstone of the ensemble’s musical inquiry.
La Novia features eleven tracks sung in languages ranging from Northern Italian, Ladino, Romance to Arabic and various Southern Italian dialects. In addition, it features collaborations with guest singers and musicians such as Nabil Bey Salameh, Faraualla, L’Escargot trio, Francesco D’Orazio, and Roberto Chiga.
The repertoire encompasses a rich spectrum of musical influences, including Sephardic classics like “A la una yo naci” and “Adio querida,” alongside original compositions such as “Arvolicos d’almendra” and traditional pieces like “La Tarantella.” These selections showcase the ensemble’s versatility and their ability to bridge the gap between written and oral musical traditions.
Line up: Fabrizio Piepoli on vocals, chitarra battente, classical guitar, shruti box, daf, bendir, tambourine and karkabas; Giorgia Santoro on flute, bansuri, double bass flute, Celtic harp, duduk, sajat, cymbals, palmas and vocals; Adolfo La Volpe on oud, classical guitar, tar, and vocals; Nabil Bey Salameh on vocals; Faraualla on vocals; L’Escargot on accordion and piva; Francesco D’Orazio on violin; and Roberto Chiga on pandereta, tavolette, tamburello, udu.
Track list
01 – A la una yo naci (trad. sefardita)
02 – La novia (trad. sefardita) feat. Faraualla e L’Escargot
03 – Adio querida (trad. sefardita)
04 – La Tarantella (Cristoforo Caresana) feat. Faraualla e Francesco D’Orazio
05 – Almaya (trad. Siria) feat. Nabil Bey
06 – Ya Mariam el bikr (trad. Libano)
07 – Tarantella di San Michele (trad. Gargano)
08 – Vorrei volare (trad. Salento)
09 – Arvolicos d’almendra (trad. sefardita)
10 – Longa farahfaza (Riyad el Sonbati)
11 – Si dolce è ‘l tormento (Claudio Monteverdi)
Buy La Novia.
Author: Iliana Cabrera
