THE CITHARINS
This southern Savoyard group of singers, composers and musical interpreters, adored by the northern Savoyards, are returning at last to Feufliâzhe. They come from the Tarentaise, on the frontier between France and Italy and they sing the words of the old mountain songs in French, Italian, Savoyard and Valdôtain – the local Italian patois, asserting their identity as mountain people.
The Citharins will appear in concert on Friday evening at Habère-Poche, singing traditional Alpine songs – what joy! They’re great success has been in introducing songs such as Ne m’oublie pas vieux chalet (Don’t forget me, old chalet) to those who were not familiar with them.
Le vieux pont du village (The old village bridge), En descendant des chapelles (Coming down from the chapels), La Ripionpion or La Picolardienne.
With the Citharins, you will be transported to the Isère Valley before the ski resorts existed, and, like the colporteurs of yesteryear, over the pass to La Thuile and Courmayer in the Aosta Valley, for the frontier is very near.
Most of the group are natives either of Seez or of Bourg-St-Maurice in the Haute-Tarentaise. They grew up between the mountain ranges of Beaufortain and the Vamoise; that is, they have always looked out on the beautiful Alpine landscape where they live and work, and once a week they get together to rehearse... when they are all available. For some, such as Jean-Pierre Sardino, are Corsican by birth. Jean-Pierre often goes to stay in the “île de Beauté” and sometimes sings there with his family. With his name, there’s no doubt that he will appreciate the Sardinian choir of Bosa who will be taking part in the first half of the concert.
Jean-Pierre
A short history of the group will be recounted by Jean-Pierre, who will introduce, with humour, the songs and his companions.
The choir was formed in the mid-1960s and was at that time called Le Quatuor Borain, with Robert Quey, Jacques Bianchi, Jean-Pierre Sardino and Louis Garnier. Only the two last remain with the Citharins; Jean-Pierre and Louis, who were the founders of the group. They were also part of the Bourg-St-Maurice folk group Les Frontières, but gradually detached themselves from the folk scene in order to dedicate themselves to their shared passion – singing.
Jean-Pierre and Louis, the founders
At first, they took part in friendly soirées, singing a repertoire from the Tarentaise and the Aosta Valley. It was on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the fête at Haut-Bourg, in 1969, that they first appeared together formally. The Haut-Bourg fête was a procession of carts and brass bands which took place annually in August at Bourg-St-Maurice. Encouraged by their success, the singers decided to organise rehearsals and to develop their repertoire. Their reputation began to grow.
It was at that time that the Citharins chose their name and that their identity was truly formed. Jean-Pierre Sardino and Louis Garnier wrote the words, and Christophe Favre put them to music. That was the start, and for twenty-five years they have continued… and they have brought out their sixth album, called Ecoute la montagne. Over the years, people have left the group, and younger performers have joined it; that’s the life of a group! Julien, the current president, sings and plays the accordion, but is also, with Cédric, involved in the technical processes.
The Citharins succeed in sharing with the public the deep pleasure that they experience themselves in singing with a pastoral identity. For they strive to demonstrate the richness of their heritage in continuing to nourish the roots which their grandparents bequeathed them. They want to be transmitters of values by means of the old songs which they collect and the new ones that they compose. Their last CD, which came out in January, comprises not less than 17 titles, including Les filles de Tignes (The girls of Tignes), Le vieux piolet (The old axe), Le four de mon village (The village oven), Le refuge, Le joyeux muletier (The happy muleteer), l’Alpée.
Tenor : Irénée Grand, Jean Claude Girard, Julien Anxionnaz (accordéon)
Baritone : Jean-Pierre Sardino, Gilles Mercier, Louis Garnier (guitare)
Bass : Dominique Besse
Mixer : Cédric Michel
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