Introduzione a Giuseppe Cocchiara, Popolo e canti nella Sicilia d'oggi (or. 1923).

Abstract

The document provides an extensive overview of Giuseppe Cocchiara's work, "Popolo e canti nella Sicilia d’oggi. Girando Val Demone," first published in 1923 and reissued in 2024 as part of the national edition of his works. Cocchiara, at the age of 19, explored Sicilian folk poetry and music, focusing on the Val Demone region. The text highlights his methodology, including fieldwork and interactions with local poets and communities, and his observations on the relationship between folk music, poetry, and the natural environment. Cocchiara analyzed various forms of Sicilian folk songs, such as "muttetti," "ciuri," "canzuni," and "parti," emphasizing their cultural significance and performance contexts. He also discussed the influence of Sicilian folk music on classical composers and the challenges of preserving oral traditions. The document includes critical evaluations of Cocchiara's early work, noting its romanticized perspective and methodological limitations, while acknowledging its contribution to the study of Sicilian folklore.