Search - Okros Ensemble :: Transylvanian Village Music

For dancing - not eating

santacruztacean | Monterey Bay area | 01/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Master Musicians Of Transylvanian/Hungarian Music

Erika Borsos | Gulf Coast of FL, USA | 04/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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)"

Outstanding

Pen Name? | 04/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."