Prisoner's Song

Muzsikas | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hannibal
• ASIN: B00000061M
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #398,672 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #88 in Music > World Music > Europe > Eastern Europe > Hungary

Track Listings

1. Rabnóta [Prisoner's Song - The Light Does Not Ap]

2. Eddig Vendég [The Unwelcome Guest]

3. Azt Gondoltam, Esö Esk [I Thought It Was Raining]

4. Hidegen Fújnak a Szelek [Cold Winds Are Blowing]

5. Bujdosódal [Outlaw's Song - Turn, My Dear Horse]

6. Repülj Madár, Repülj [Fly Bird, Fly!]

7. Régen Volt, Soká Lesz [It Was Long Ago, It Will Be a Long Time]

8. Szerelem, Szerelem [Love, Love]

9. Én Csak Azt Csodálom [I Am Only Wondering]

10. Elment a Madarka [The Bird Has Flown]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fiery, passionate music from a fiery, passionate country., November 16, 2002

By 

Beeblebrox (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prisoner's Song (Audio CD)

Muzsikas are an ensemble from Budapest which grew out of the "Tanchaz" (literally, "dance-house") movement of the 1970s, wherein Hungarians began to take a keen interest in their folk heritage, learning to dance to and play older music.

In their purest form, Muzsikas consist of violins, a three-stringed upright bass which is played with a short bow, and the ethereal voice of Marta Sebyesten.

The music on "The Prisoner's Song" consists largely of Transylvanian folk compositions (remember, Transylvania was part of Hungary and, later, the Austro-Hungarian Empire until after World War I). Although all the songs were composed independent of each other, Muzsikas have arranged them in this album to tell a tale of sorts: a story of longing, love, and freedom.

The music is authentic, but never dated and not "modernized" to any extent whatsoever. Mihaly Csipos plays his fiddle with a passion and zeal which sounds in every note. Marta Sebyesten's singing is angelic, soaring to incredible heights, evoking the rich and proud history of Hungary.

All the lyrics to this song are in Hungarian, and neither a translation nor even the original lyrics are provided. However, all the words may be found on the web, and they're easily translated with the help of a Hungarian, or, with some effort, a Hungarian-English dictionary. But no dictionary is needed to feel the love and passion which went into making this album.

Contrary to what an earlier reviewer wrote, there's been no persecution of Muzsikas by the Hungarian government. Muzsikas are quite popular in Hungary, and the Tanchaz movement continues in full force. In fact, there is said to be one tanchaz in Budapest where Muzsikas play once a week and invite the public to jam with them. Fortunately for us and for music, Hungary is a completely free and open society, which allows Muzsikas to take lightning-quick tours of the US every few years.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A range of haunting tunes, January 5, 2000

By 

"itskristen" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prisoner's Song (Audio CD)

I bought this CD simply for the gorgeous song "Repulj, Madar, Rapulj" -- but found the entire thing interesting. I don't speak Hungarian and I know nothing of their folk music, yet I find the songs on this CD haunting and well-performed. I pull The Prisoner's Song from my CD rack at least once a week. If you're looking for something lovely and out of the ordinary that even white bread American tastes can appreciate; you won't be disappointed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a gem, January 8, 2005

By 

Michael Landes (Woodside, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prisoner's Song (Audio CD)

I'll let the other reviewers speak for the great great record.
I'll only add that I have the complete lyrics in both English and Hungarian, as well for Blues For Transylvania (Osz Az Ido), and
Marta Sebestyen/Muszikas (Dudoltam En)
and I will send them to anyone who asks as
an email attachment. I wouldn't want anyone else to go through
what I did to get them.
just ask, and you are very welcome. these are great records.