Customer Reviews

Ketto: Hungarian Folk Music

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a beautiful album, mostly of songs and dance melodies from the now internationally known group Muzsikas. Marta Sebestyn's voice stretches through an enormous range of vocals. This music always makes me move and as a dancer that has been privileged to see them perform in a live setting where we danced til late at night, it's a fond remembrance of those time when I play this CD. If you like their other albums, be sure and add this early classic to your collection - you won't be sorry!

Muszikas' "Ketto" is a fine, fun, energetic collection of Hungarian folk music. ("Ketto," by the way, means "two," in case your Hungarian-language proficiency, like mine, is limited.) The vocals, both solo and harmony, are strong and evocative. The instruments you will hear on the album include violin, viola, double bass, bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, Turkish pipe, zither, tambura, and koboz (a lute-like Hungarian instrument). Many nice changes of pace in the ten songs on the album. The helpful liner notes explain how the group Muszikas came to record in Holland in 1978, and how their work brought traditional Hungarian music to the world. Lyrics (in the original Hungarian) are provided for each song, along with an explanation of the traditions behind, and musical and lyrical emphasis of, each song. Recommended for listeners with an interest in Hungarian or Central/Eastern European music, or for aficionados of world music generally.

The music and singing was somewhat out of sync. The album is fair. The delivery and condition was excellent.