Search - Andras Farkas Jr, Emsemble :: Hungarian Gypsy Music

Exquisite Musical Expressions

Erika Borsos | Gulf Coast of FL, USA | 09/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Andras Farkas and the Budapest Ensemble play famous old gypsy and Hungarian tunes with pure passion and firey embellishments on this CD. Most pleasing to this listener are tracks, #2, #6, #9, and #12 because they contain a medley of various well known songs and pieces ... which are often played by a roving gypsy band in a restaurant or at a festival. Often a gypsy band will accept requests ... with the expected monetary tip ... and this is the music which will be played ...



The CD contains traditional gyspy instruments: violin, clarinet (used to be tarogato in the past), contrabass, and occasionally the cimbalom. Hailing from a family of musicians, the lead violinist, Andras Farkas, Jr., learned his instrument very early in life, as it was passed down from generation to generation by his ancestors. Later he attended various musical schools in Budapest, refining his technique and developing his own personal style. He is famous in Hungary having played at first class hotels and restaurants throughout Budapest and at various functions and festivals in Europe.



Keep in mind, the music on this CD is confined to "restaurant" style gypsy sounds as opposed to the "village" gypsy music played by groups such as, Ando Drom, Romanyi Rota or Kalyi Jag or the traditional Hungarian folk revival music by bands, such as Muzsikas, Okros, Hegedos, Teka or Meta. The music on this CD is the style often associated with Hungary by foreigners but it is truly only one particular category of Hungarian music. Anyone who loves gypsy style music will appreciate the unique embellishments and authenticity of this group and especially the violin playing which is beyond description ...

Erika Borsos (erikab93)"