Customer Reviews

Transylvanian Village Music

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

 

 

If you're into Hungarian folkdance, you probably already own this CD. For others, this is dance (tanchaz) music at it's finest, featuring the legendary Gypsy violinist Sandor Fodor "Neti" (recently deceased master of the genre), and Okros Ensemble, one of Hungary's finest revivalist bands. This well-recorded CD includes Hungarian, Romanian and Gypsy dance music from and near the Kalotaszeg area of Transylvania (including the mesmerizing music of Bonchida), interspersed with slow laments and "morning songs". This CD is an xlnt example of very listenable authentic Transylvanian village music - not to be confused with restaurant Gypsy music.

Let it be known that I am no expert on gypsy or hungarian music, I'm not a "musicologist" or whatever, but I am simply amazed with this album. I have always wanted an authentic gypsy, hungarian, romanian style fiddling dance album and finally I've found it. I've recently discovered the Rounder records selection and have been very pleased with what I've found. I've always had that European traditional dance fiddling sound in my head, whether Eastern European or Irish, but have never been able to find albums which really came through on what I was looking for. This is great. I hope to learn more about these styles and perhaps find more great artists. For now, I am happy that my search has payed off.

I just got this cd about a week ago and have since listened to it around 10 times. This is my first exposure to Transylvanian music (although this is also mixed in with other Eastern European influences in places) and I must say I enjoy it. I can't give any sort of highly technical review, comparing and contrasting with other Hungarian musical forms, but so far I am really enjoying this cd and plan on getting the other Okros Ensemble disc in the future.

In some respects, this music reminds me a bit of the music on the Fire In The Mountains Volume 1 cd of Polish fiddle music from the Tatra Mountain region. Not so much in terms of melody, but in the way the rhythm section cycles. I must let it be known that this cd is infinitely better than that one, though. The vocals on that cd make it all but unlistenable for me, while this cd only has 3 vocal tracks but the girl (Agi Szaloki) has an outstanding voice, especially on her first and third tracks.

Also, again in terms of the rhythm cycling, the Fiddlers 4 cd has a track or two that I thought of when I first heard this disc, although I haven't listened to Fiddlers 4 in quite a while so I don't remember which tracks. I'd have to say I enjoy this disc more than that one also.

I'd say I give this cd 3.8 stars and rounded up to 4. If I were about to be shipped off to a deserted island and could only take a generator, cd player, and 30 cd's this cd wouldn't be one of the 30, but still. A cd doesn't have to be in the top 1% of my collection for me to enjoy it greatly. What it comes down to for me is that I am really enjoying this cd so far and am trying to learn from it. It has definitely sparked my interest and my appreciation of it will probably only grow with time, and cause me to delve more deeply into Hungarian and Transylvanian folk musics.

It is also a very good quality recording, rich and full sound.

The traditional Hungarian music which originates from Translyvlania is some of the finest music in existence. Okros Ensemble and Sandor "Neti" Fodor are recognized as among the best.The music itself has been preserved for over 100 years: collected by Bela Bartok, Zoltan Kodaly, and Zoltan Kallos more recently. It is unaltered village music played by one or two violins, a gardon, and sometimes a bass. The half-step note variations occasionaly played by the violins is the unique musical styling for which the region is known. It becomes magnitizing and mesmerizing the more you listen ... if authentic Hungarian music is your passion - look no further! Whether from Kalotaszeg, Mezoseg, or Gyimes regions of Transylvanian, the music is passionate, exciting, and incomparable to any other in Central (Eastern) Europe. Hungarian music appeals to the senses - just like the food and wines from Hungary, once you taste them, you will want more ... My recommendation is indulge your senses! Buy this CD! Erika Borsos (erikab93)

An outstanding example of traditional Hungarian folk music from the Kalotaszeg region of Transylvania. Features violinist Sandor Fodor "Neti", one of the last living masters of the genre; this is dance (tanchaz) music at its finest. If you are a fan of Hungarian folkdance music, you probably have already bought this CD; if not, this is an excellent introduction to the real thing - not to be confused with gypsy restaurant music. I'm pleased that a U.S. label is finally distributing this outstanding little-known music, and hope we'll see more from Rounder in the future.

This ensemble provides a scratchy sound, which has grown on me.I usually prefer a variety of instruments, but I'm starting to understand the approach of piling up the same instrument for an 'overall' sound.Any non-violin instuments, are used to push forward the cluster of violins.Three tracks, however introduce a gorgeous female voice into the foreground.She is not just an incidental addition to the cd, she is a stand-out.So, three tracks are a couple too few.It makes you thirsty, but doesn't give you enough water.
Though there are no other frontal instruments to break things up, the variety lays in the tempo.The long tracks contain both slow, and quickish sections.So it is kept interesting that way.The absence of variety in instruments initially had me deeming this cd non-distinct.But the all-violin sound does have its own goal, which I'm learning to appreciate more.I do like the heavy scratchy timbre of their playing.The purpose is tradition, as opposed to innovation.They keep to a traditional sound whole-heartedly.And the singer, she's pretty special.Despite her singing being of traditional style (hence a strong similarity to Marta Sebestyen), her unique personality comes through.She does actually 'sound' younger than Sebestyen, as I'm sure she would be.