Corsica: Religious Music of Oral Tradition

Recorded in 1977 in the remote Corsican village of Rusiu (or Rusio), the music featured on this album is performed in a style of medieval folk polyphony that has been adapted to the modern world. The paghiella singers—typically three, a lead tenor, a second tenor, and a bass—form a close team whose repertoire has been passed on to them over centuries through oral tradition.

Following a Mass Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and a Requiem Mass, the final track on the album, “Dio vi salvi Regina,” is one of the most popular songs in Corsica. Believed to be composed in the 18th century, it was performed in 1735 when Corsica was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is considered a national song.

Track Listing

101	Mass Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Introit: Antiphon "Salve sancta parens" / Psalm "Eructavit cor meum" Cantarini di Rusiu	02:24
102	Mass Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Kyrie Cantarini di Rusiu	02:51
103	Mass Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Gloria Cantarini di Rusiu	04:59
104	Mass Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Credo Cantarini di Rusiu	07:38
105	Mass Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Offertory "Beata es" Cantarini di Rusiu	01:01
106	Mass Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Sanctus Cantarini di Rusiu	01:53
107	Mass Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Pater Noster Cantarini di Rusiu	02:08
108	Mass Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Agnus Dei Cantarini di Rusiu	02:33
109	Mass Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary: Communion "Beata viscera" Cantarini di Rusiu	00:38
110	Requiem Mass: Introit: Antiphon "Requiem aeternam" / Psalm "Te Decet" Cantarini di Rusiu	01:59
111	Requiem Mass: Dies Irae Cantarini di Rusiu	07:24
112	Requiem Mass: Offertory "Domine Jesu Christe" Cantarini di Rusiu	02:56
113	Requiem Mass: Agnus Dei Cantarini di Rusiu	02:39
114	Requiem Mass: Communion "Lux aeternam" Cantarini di Rusiu	01:42
115	Canticles and Hymn: Benediction "O Salutaris" Cantarini di Rusiu	01:48
116	Canticles and Hymn: Psalm "Laudate Domine omne gentes" Cantarini di Rusiu	02:23
117	Canticles and Hymn: Corsican Hymn "Dio vi salvi Regina" Cantarini di Rusiu	06:39