Romanian and Transylvanian Music

HISTORY

Of all the Balkan countries, Romania has the richest fiddle tradition. Any Western fiddle player willing to master unusual meter combinations will be rewarded with an energizing repertoire of amazing music.

"The mountainous terrain, the large size of the rural population and the relatively slow pace of industrial development and modernization have all contributed to the survival of a way of life which disappeared from the rest of Europe centuries ago... As in much of south eastern Europe, much of the music making is in the hands of gypsies, and has been since the mid 19th century when gypsies first settled in the country in large numbers... Particularly important is the mountainous region of Transylvania, famed for its music as well as for its bloodthirsty legends. Though lying today within Romania, it has a large ethnic minority of Hungarians, who because of the region's isolation and poverty have maintained a culture and way of life which has changed little in centuries. Transylvania has a special place in the hearts of Hungarians as a vital link with their past. "— Chris Haigh

Transylvania is located in north-west Romania with a mixed Romanian, Hungarian and Gypsy population, and its music, of course, reflects the population.

MELODIC MODES

"The primas [first violin] takes the main melody, enhancing it with chromatic runs, double stops, arpeggios, pizzicato, harmonics and the like- all performance tricks which could be improvised on the spot to enhance the performance.

"The second violin or contra (sometimes also called braci or secunda) is used to provide both harmony and rhythm. It has three strings, tuned to G, D and A, and a flattened bridge allows easy double and triple stopping, creating simple chords. The contra is held not under the chin, but low down on the chest, tilted perpendicular, allowing for very economical use of the bow. A typical bow stroke has a slight pause in the middle, separating an on- and off-beat, giving a sort of ooh-ah, ooh-ah sound."— Chris Haigh

RHYTHMIC MODES

2/2:

• Promoroaca is a Romanian circle dance genre, not a single song. that said, there is one tune that is most commonly used by folk dance groups. Bouncy with an emphasis on each even-numbered bar.
  • Recorded music and informal dancing.
  • Live music and performance dancing.
  • Recorded music and informal dancing.
  • Live music, no dancing. A different song than the ones above, and more attractive IMO.
• Ze Dode: Transylvanian tune with a syncopated rhythm. The back beat is much like a Malfuf: 1-2-3 1-2-3 1-2
  • Tania de Gruchy.
  • Tea Time Bohemians.

7/8 [ 2-2-3 ]

• Geamparale circle dance

DANCE PERFORMANCE MUSIC

Doina

Lyrical rubato improvisation, slow or fast, typically played over an extended single chord from a cymbalom.

Hora

Fast or slow circle dance.

The Fast-Slow rhythm of a slow hora is often written as 5/8.

Hora Femeilor (big Hora)

6/8 rhythm.

Traditionally performed by women.

Invirtita

7/8

Sirba

Fast dance tune in 2/4 time.