 |
Webcast |  |
||||||||
|
Programming | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
Station News | |||||||||
|
Benefit Concerts | |||||||||
|
WWUH Records | |||||||||
|
Contact WWUH | |||||||||
|
General Links | |||||||||
ODARRA, Le
Chant Basque |
|
Odarra is a men's choir from the Basque region. Their album "Le Chant Basque" is
a stately, considered rendition of traditional Basque music. Most songs are based on
Catholic themes such as the prayerful "Egon Atzarririk", or "Aita
Gurea", their sung "Our Father", which is sung with strength and reverence
to delight any priest. . In addition, there are dance songs with flutes and love songs to
pass the long Basque nights, songs to calm crying babies, and even sailing songs. Odarra's
range and intonation reminds me of men's choirs from Russia and Georgia, but Odarra sounds
more familiar. The closest I can compare them is to some of the more interesting Gregorian
chants or plainsongs. The group's name is from the Basque word for élan or impulse. Their
love for their people, as it is with any minority living among an overwhelming majority,
is strong and tied to the land and its history. The album is recorded in a chapel deep in
Basque country, and, like the foundations of the ancient church they sing in, Odarra's
love for their homeland goes deep and strong. Copyright©WWUH: May/June Program Guide, 1999 |
Copyright© 2000
WWUH and the University of Hartford
E-Mail: wwuh@mail.hartford.edu
Webmaster: manolama@aol.com