© photo Félicia Sisco

Jean-François Bernardini from his book "Noi":

"I remember the day
it was 8 september 1970
at the Foire du Niolu
we were still children, at our father's side
standing between two little tables
we sang our first Paghjella
and earned our first applause
and a caress from Peppu Flori..."

© photo François Balestrière

Jean-François and Alain Bernardini were born in the small village of Tagliu-Isulacciu in the Castagniccia. At a very early age they began to sing with their father, Ghjuliu, who was a great poet and singer. Shortly after the Aleria-drama Ghjuliu Bernardini wrote "Lettera a fratellu".
They recorded their first single with their father in collaboration with the group "Canta u Populu Corsu". (Ghjuliu Bernardini died in december 1977).
"I Muvrini ... ti ringrazianu", their début album, released in 1979, was dedicated to their father's memory.

The early years of 1980 were difficult: some villages forbade the group to perform under the context that they disrupted public order.
I Muvrini however, continued to sing in the Corsican language. They created their very own style by mixing traditional music with their own compositions. The Corsican identity was placed at the heart of their sound. The title of I Muvrini's second album was a reference to the famous Corsican political prisoners of the late 70's.
The public became more and more enchanted and came in great numbers to their concerts. The group embarked on various events on the continent: Spring Festival of Bourges, Palma de Mallorca, Bretagne and Germany.

Tagliu-Isulacciu
Tagliu-Isulacciu

In their aim to preserve the musical heritage of their island they set up special music schools to teach the children of Corsica about their musical and cultural heritage. The lovely album "Rundinella" was recorded with the assistance of the children of these "scola aperta".

Their next album "E campa qui" was a big success and got a lot of airplay by local radiostations.
I Muvrini became the leading group of the Corsican music scene. The political message they spread through their music and their commitment to local political life increased their popularity. I Muvrini's concerts became major events, for Corsicans as well as tourists.
In 1985 "I Muvrini '85" was released, a year later "A l'Encre Rouge".

The I Muvrini style was absolutely perfect on their album "Lacrime", which was an immediate success. After the success of this album they created their own label: AGFB.
The fame of I Muvrini was now reaching beyond their homeland; their polyphonic sound became a huge hit throughout Europe.
"Pè l'amore di tè" ,recorded in Paris and released in 1988, proved enormously successful and sold over 300.000 copies. The next album "Quorum" was recorded in Toulouse in 1989, followed by their first live album "In Core" in 1990.

I Muvrini were also noticed by other musiciens. They worked together with Jaques Dutronc, Michel Fugain, Veronique Sanson and Sting.
In 1993 thy recorded their twelfth album "Noi", which contained the beautiful traditional song "Lode di u sepolcru".
Highlight of the summer of '93 were the two concerts at Le Zénith in Paris.
See the text "A nostre Storia" which is on the CD Zenith 93 integrale, a text by G.Coanet, recited par Jean-François BERNARDINI.

Every year I Muvrini dedicate a large part of their tour to Corsica, the Giru Corsu; meeting and talking with their public in the little villages, making the "Giru" unforgetable for all concerned.

Special was the friendship between I Muvrini and Dorothy Carrington (1910 - 2002), the English historian who lived and worked in Corsica.

The road I Muvrini took was never an easy one, in spite of all the difficulties they remained faithful to their background, their culture and their language. Now, after more then 25 years, they are famous in and beyond Corsica. Yet, they have kept their integrity and their commitment and their message of brotherhood and solidarity shines through their music.

Jean-François Bernardini's 'LETTRE A MADAME ERIGNAC'
(journal "Le Monde" du 07 mai 2003)

Of special interest to I Muvrini:

En mémoire à leur père Ghjuliu, Alain et Jean-François Bernardini ont mis en place un studio d'enregistrement son et vidéo au village de Tagliu Isulacciu, leur village.
Ils mettent ainsi l'expérience du groupe I Muvrini au service des artistes insulaires. Pour Alain Bernardini: " il s'agit de faire vivre le rural tout en permettant aux groupes et chanteurs corses d'enregistrer et de mixer leur créations sur leur terre" .
Le studio répond au nom de "Alma", un éponyme du dernier album d'I Muvrini, et inclut tous les moyens modernes actuels tout en restant très convivial et intégré à l'espace environnant.

Alma Studio | Village de Tagliu | 20230 Tagliu Isulaccia | Haute Corse | France
Tél. +33 (0)4 95 58 02 02 | +33 (0)4 95 32 17 17 | Fax +33 (0)4 95 31 63 03
email : almastudio@wanadoo.fr | i.muvrini@wanadoo.fr
| website www.almastudio.fr
Canta U Populu Corsu in Alma Studio

photo Jacques Poli

Contact concerts

Encore Productions
Pascalle Kafiz
Tel : + 33 (0)1 42 60 61 25
E-mail

International Development
France-Anne Van Peteghem
Ph / Fax: +216 71 74 38 12
Cell: +216 20 02 51 70
E-mail

International Agent
Bill Smith
PO Box 280786
San Francisco, CA 94128
001 650-595-2274
fax 650-585-6810
Skype - Bsmith178 UK TEL 44-20-800-29364
Areas of representation:
Worldwide excluding France, Germany, Belgium, French and German Switzerland

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Highlights 2008

Highlights 2007

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Highlights 2005

Highlights 2004

Highlights 2003

Highlights 2002


photo Gérard Baldocchi
source "Corse Matin juin 2002"		 I Muvrini at the Petreto Bicchisano college, where Jean-François Bernardini talked about "Umani"; pupils were fascinated by the afghan language and Jalàlàbad. Also the children had the chance to learn how to sing the Paghjella with Alain Bernardini and Martin Vadella.

Highlights 2001

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