Polyphony is a type of musical texture consisting of two or more simultaneous lines of independent melody, as opposed to a musical texture with just one voice (monophony) or a texture with one dominant melodic voice accompanied by chords (homophony).
Romani music is the music of the Romani people who have their origins in northern India but today live mostly in Europe.
The music of Albania is associated with the country of Albania and Albanian communities. Music has a long tradition in the country and is known for its regional diversity, from the Ghegs in the North to the Tosks in the South. It is an integral part of the national identity, strongly influenced by the country's long and turbulent history, which forced Albanians to protect their culture from their overlords by living in rural and remote mountains.
Vasil S. Tole is an Albanian composer, ethnomusicologist and administrator. A proponent of European classical music, his compositions include opera, chamber music, orchestral works and various pieces for small ensembles and solo instruments. He is the author of several books, mostly about the music of Albania.
Greek traditional music includes a variety of Greek styles played by ethnic Greeks in Greece, Cyprus, Australia, the United States and other parts of Europe. Apart from the common music found generally in Greece, each region of Greece contains a distinct type of folk music that originated from the region due to their history, traditions and cultural influences.
Italian music terminology consists of words and phrases used in the discussion of the music of Italy. Some Italian music terms are derived from the common Italian language. Others come from Spanish, or Neapolitan, Sicilian, Sardinian or other regional languages of Italy. The terms listed here describe a genre, song form, dance, instrument, style, quality of music, technique or other important aspect of Italian music.
The polyphonic song of Epirus is a form of traditional folk polyphony practiced among Albanians, Aromanians, Greeks and ethnic Macedonians in southern Albania and northwestern Greece. The polyphonic song of Epirus is not to be confused with other varieties of polyphonic singing, such as the yodeling songs of the region of Muotatal, or the Cantu a tenore of Sardinia. Scholars consider it an old tradition, which either originates from the ancient Greek and Thraco-Illyrian era, or the Byzantine era, with influences from Byzantine music. The Albanian Iso-Polyphony – which is recognized as cultural heritage by UNESCO – is considered to have its roots in the in the many-voiced vajtim, the southern Albanian traditional lamentation of the dead. The Greek project Polyphonic Caravan, which aims at researching, safeguarding and promoting the Epirus polyphonic song since 1998, was inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List of Good Safeguarding Practices in 2020.
The music of Epirus, in Epirus, northwestern Greece, present to varying degree in the rest of Greece and the islands, contains folk songs that are mostly pentatonic and polyphonic, characterized as relaxed, gentle and exceptionally beautiful, and sung by both male and female singers.
The Dance of Osman Taka is a traditional dance in Albania and Greece. In Albania it is mainly danced by Cham Albanians. The dance bears the name of Osman Taka, a 19th-century Muslim Cham Albanian guerilla fighter who fought against Ottoman forces. It is a famous variation from the Albanian Cham repertoire of the older Çamçe dance.
The Song of Çelo Mezani is an Albanian polyphonic folk song. It is considered to be the best-known Cham Albanian song. The song increased the awareness in Albania about the Chameria region and its history.
Vajtim and Gjëmë is the dirge or lamentation of the dead in the Albanian custom by a group of men for the gjëmë and a woman or a group of women for the vajtim. It has been regulated by the Albanian traditional customary law.
Neço Muko (October 21, 1899 – 1934), also known as Neço Muko Himarjoti, was an Albanian singer and composer. His musical style created a new genre of Albanian iso-polyphony music called avaz himariot, or avaz himariotçe, that became identified with the music of his home region Himarë.
The Song of Tana is an Albanian folk ballad. It is considered one of the songs with the most variants in Albanian music.
Gjirokastër National Folk Festival is an artistic festival taking place every five years at Gjirokastër Castle in Gjirokastër, southern Albania. The festival was first held in 1968 and is regarded as the most important event in Albanian culture. The festival showcases Albanian traditional music, dress and dance from Albania, the diaspora, and Albanian inhabited lands throughout the Balkans and Southern Italy. The Gjirokastër Festival followed the tradition of the Folklore Festivals started in Tirana in 1949.
Iso-Polyphony is a traditional part of Albanian folk music and, as such, is included in UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. Albanian Iso-Polyphony is considered to have its roots in the many-voiced vajtim, the southern Albanian traditional lamentation of the dead. The instrumental expression of the Albanian Iso-Polyphony evolved into the Albanian kaba.
Gjon Simoni, Albanian musicologist and composer, was born in Shkodër on 8 February 1936 into an Albanian family of long cultural tradition and died in Tirana on 2 July 1999. He was active in his city's musical life very early. In 1966 he graduated in composition and history of music from the Tirana State Conservatory. In 1966-1969 he was head of the Music Section in Gjirokastër, in 1969-1980 editor of musical programs at the Albanian Radio-Television, in 1980 head of the Composition Chair at the Academy of Arts in Tirana, in 1993-1994 teacher of music at the School of Music in Karditsa (Greece), in 1996-1997 dean of the Faculty of Music at the Academy of the arts in Tirana, in 1997 teacher of orchestration at the same Academy. He was holder of various prizes and titles. His musical works are being played at various musical events in Albania and abroad. He also dealt with problems of music in the Albanian media and at various conferences and seminars.
Laver Bariu was an Albanian folk clarinetist and singer. He led his musical group for over 40 years and had an immense influence in teaching new generations the Përmet's saze music.
Kristo Kono was an Albanian composer and recipient of the People's Artist title in 1961, the highest artistic recognition title during the communist era. He was one of the early contributors to Albanian music and opera who spent all his life in their service; one of the symbols of the cultural traditions of his hometown of Korçë, same as other musicians as Tefta Tashko-Koço, Jorgjia Truja, and Kristaq Antoniu; and one of the main personalities of the early generation of Albanian composers together with Nikolla Zoraqi, Tish Daija, Tonin Harapi, and Feim Ibrahimi.
Ethem Qerimaj (1934–2022) was an Albanian virtuoso violinist, and one of the best performers of the Albanian kaba.
