Abstract

On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of Brother Sun (1225- 2025), the talk aims to present a historical excursus of its intonations: from the unreceived one created in oral tradition by Saint Francis himself, on which we reflect with the criteria proper to ethnomusicology and with the guidance of the Franciscan Sources, to the reading of some 20th century creations, conducted by enucleating paths of musical interpretation of the text. Although in the presence of very diverse languages, there tends to emerge the search for a ‘‘poor’’ writing as an adhesion to the highest sign of Francis’ choice.