Istrian scale | |
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![]() Istrian mode on C.[1] [heptatonic] | |
Stylistic origins | Croatian music |
Cultural origins | Istria and Kvarner |
Two-part singing and playing in the Istrian scale | |
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Country | Croatia |
Reference | 00231 |
Region | Europe and North America |
Inscription history | |
Inscription | 2009 (4th session) |
List | Representative |
"Istrian scale" refers both to a "unique"[2] musical scale and to the folk music genres from Istria and Kvarner which use that scale.[3] It is named for the Istrian peninsula. Istrian folk music is based on a distinctive six-tone musical scale (the so-called Istrian scale), and the peninsula's two-part, slightly nasal singing. The two-part singing and playing in the Istrian scale, a traditional singing practice characteristic of the Istrian region and the north Adriatic coastal area and islands, was inscribed in UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009.[4]
Genres include kanat and tarankanje; techniques include nasal tone, variation and improvisation, and resolution to the unison or octave; and instruments include double reeds such as sopele, shawms, bagpipes, and other instruments such as flutes and tambura lutes.[3] It was first named by Ivan Matetić Ronjgov early in the twentieth century,[2] assisting his study and notation of Croatian music.