On The Albanian Folk Iso-Polyphony
On The Albanian Folk Iso-Polyphony

Summary/Abstract: It is commonly known that other art genres such as music, architecture, sculpture and painting were not unknown in Albania, and at some time even reached a high peak, as can be seen from the archeological data. Despite the romantic dressing of the following statement, it is said that in the old times "the Albanians dedicated the city of Apolonia to the Godess of music" and "the locals called their place Myzeqe". According to Konica, a well-known Albanian man of letters, there is an assumption that the polyphonic music must have had its source in Albania, which did not fail to escape the attention of the Italian visitors. Further on, antiquity authors have mentioned common folk tales on the mythization of the music on the part of the Illyrians (forefathers to Albanians). One of these folk tales is related to the death of Great Pan. According to Pluto, a ship first announced his death by the Lake Pelod (Lake Butrinti, South Albania), which was followed by moaning in group, as if a number of humans were moaning in chorus. It is yet unclear why the reference is made to the Lake Butrinti, but it is thought that the polyphonic moaning would therefore be the most complete requiem for the famous Pan's death.

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