Italian

Italian music has a deep and complex history. Italian folk music reflects Italy's geographic position at the south of Europe and in the center of the Mediterranean Sea: Arabic, African, Celtic, Persian, Venetian, Roma, and Slavic influences are readily apparent in the musical styles of the Italian regions. Today, Italy's folk music is often divided into several spheres of geographic influence: The Celtic and Slavic influences on the group and open-voice choral works of the north contrast with the Arabic, Greek, and African influenced strident monody of the south. In central Italy these influences combine, while indigenous traditions like narrative and ballad singing remain. The music of the island of Sardinia is distinct from that of the rest of Italy, and is best known for the polyphonic chanting of the tenores.

Associated Cultural Styles Of Music: Italian Folk Revival, Northern & Central Italy, Southern Italy, Ethnic Greeks, Sicily, Sardinia

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_folk_music