Polyphonies Franciscaines = Franciscan Polyphony

Released in 1997 by the label Auvidis Ethnic, this recording features the Corsican vocal ensemble Le Chœur d’Hommes de Sartène under the direction of Ghjuvan Paulu Poletti. The album captures the rich, visceral tradition of sacred polyphonic singing indigenous to the Sartène region of Corsica. It was produced as part of an effort to preserve and showcase the island's unique liturgical musical heritage, which blends ancient folk traditions with Latin ecclesiastical influences.

The album is noted for its stark, unadorned production style, intended to replicate the natural acoustic environment of a cathedral or stone chapel. Poletti, a central figure in the revival of Corsican choral music, focused on the specific harmonic intervals and vocal textures that define the Sartène style. Upon its release, the recording was well-received by world music critics for its technical precision and its role in bringing obscure Mediterranean liturgical music to a broader international audience.