In this area the cymbalom is an integral part of the music and is never missing from the band. Here the cymbalom plays melody (not accompaniment). On this CD, the cymbalom plays the lead for an entire cycle of dances – without the violin.

Cymbalom player János Gazsi was already 74 years old when he traveled to Budapest to make these recordings. His brother, József Gazsi plays the double bass. Dénes Sályi (viola) comes from a famous Marosvécs non-Gypsy musician family. His father, Péter Sályi was one of the best fiddlers in the region and many of his brothers are also musicians. Dénes Sályi plays a classical 4-stringed viola, using mainly the C and G strings for simple harmonies.

1. Magyar pár: sebes forduló, csárdás, korcsos és szöktetős csárdás
(Hungarian dance cycle) 12’01”
2. Cigány virrasztóénekek (Gypsy wake tunes) 7’50”
3. Szapora, csárdás, korcsos és szöktetős csárdás (cimbalom-szóló)
(Hungarian dance cycle with cymbalom solo) 12’59”
4. Román menyasszonykísérő (Romanian bride’s processional) 1’57”
5. Román pár: de-a lungu, învârtita, ţigăneasca, învârtita, corcioşa és învârtita
(Romanian dance cycle) 16’40”
6. Román kolinda, ţigăneasca és învârtita
(Romanian Christmas carol and couple dances) 3’18”
7. Asztali nóták, szapora, csárdás, korcsos és szöktetős csárdás (cimbalomszóló)
(Hungarian table tunes and couple dances with cymbalom solo) 17’25”
Összidő (Total time) 72’33”

Válogatta / Selected by: ÁRENDÁS Péter

ADATKÖZLŐK / PERFORMERS – INFORMANTS

CSISZÁR Aladár (1937, Magyarpéterlaka) – hegedű / violin (1., 2.)
FÜLÖP Albert (1954, Magyarpéterlaka) – hegedű / violin (1., 2., 4., 5., 6.)
GAZSI János (1923, Marosvécs) – cimbalom / cymbalom
SÁLYI Dénes (1924, Marosvécs) – brácsa / viola
GAZSI József (1933, Marosvécs) – nagybőgő / double bass