The launeddas is a polyphonic musical instrument played in Sardinia since the Bronze Age.
Born in 1932 in San Vito in south-east Sardinia, Luigi Lai is universally acknowledged to be the greatest player of his generation.
In this archive, he shares the musical inheritance he received from Antonio Lara and Efisio Melis. Their virtuosic playing can be heard on many recordings, but here Maestro Lai presents something new – or rather hidden until now – the exquisite form of mouth music through which he learned to play.
The first ten videos present the core repertory of circle dances as sung and as played. Future videos will document the craft of launeddas reed making, along with lessons, stories, and interviews illuminating the tradition from every angle.
Explore the archive
