Gwerz

Gwerz (Breton: [ɡʷɛ̞ʀz], "ballad", "lament", plural gwerzioù) is a type of folk song of Brittany. In Breton music, the gwerz tells a story^[1] which can be epic, historical, or mythological. The stories are usually of a tragic nature. The gwerz is characterised by an often monotonous melody and many couplets, all in the Breton language. Though historically sung unaccompanied,^[2] some modern musicians use limited instrumentation with the gwerz.

Lyrics and sheet music for the gwerz "Ar Roue Gralon Ha Kear Is" ("King Gradlon and the City of Ys", 1850)

Some of the most famous performers in current gwerzioù are Erik Marchand, Yann-Fañch Kemener, and Denez Prigent.^{[citation needed]}

Notable gwerzioù

• An hini a garan
• Gwerz Skolan
• Gwerz Santes Enori
• Gwerz Ker is^{[citation needed]}
• Gwerz Fañchig kemper^{[citation needed]}
• Gwerz ar vezhinerien^{[citation needed]}
• Ar Roue Gralon ha Kear Is

References

1. Sean Williams (2010). Focus: Irish Traditional Music. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-99146-3.
2. "Denez Prigent". Retrieved 26 Dec 2013.