(I cast my love upon you) is a seminal piece of Albanian iso-polyphonic music performed by Kalo Bregu and the Ansambli Folklorik Cipini . First recorded in 1994 for the ensemble's debut cassette, the song has since become a staple of the Labëria musical tradition. Musical Composition and Style
The final lines, "une mali ti bora" (I the mountain, you the snow), illustrate a permanent, inseparable bond where the two elements define each other's existence. Cultural Legacy: Ansambli Folklorik Cipini
You can listen to the original 1994 recording on the official Ansambli Cipini YouTube channel . Kalo Bregu - Ta hodha sevdane (Ansambli folklorik Cipini) Kalo Bregu - Ta hodha sevdane (Ansambli folklorik Cipini)
Unlike many polyphonic songs that focus on heroic history, this is a lyrical "këngë dashurie" (love song), using pastoral metaphors to describe a lifelong affection. Lyrical Meaning
Kalo Bregu, a renowned voice in Southern Albanian folk, provides the melodic lead. His vocal delivery is characterized by the "klithma" (cries) and emotional swells typical of the Vlorë region. (I cast my love upon you) is a
The Ansambli Cipini provides the "iso," a continuous low-toned drone that serves as the harmonic foundation, representing the collective voice of the community or the rugged mountains themselves.
Based in Vlorë, is one of Albania’s most prestigious folk groups. They are credited with preserving the authentic "Vunoi" and "Piluri" styles of singing. Under the leadership of figures like Kalo Bregu, the ensemble moved polyphony from village weddings to national stages and international festivals, ensuring the survival of this complex vocal art form. Cultural Legacy: Ansambli Folklorik Cipini You can listen
He offers her his coat to shield her from the mountain cold, expressing a deep empathy for her well-being ("Me vjen keq per tyja se ben ftohte ne male").