Legendary Gypsy Band Taraf de Haidouks Presents New Studio Recording After a Six Years Hiatus

San Francisco (California), USA – The world’s leading Balkan Gypsy band returns after six years of studio silence with Maskarada, an album that tackles classical music.

In the early 20th century, many composers drew their inspiration from national folklore, often borrowing from Roma musicians to create their own vision of an exotic and largely imaginary Orient. Things have now been turned around, as one of the world’s leading Gypsy bands have taken hold of classical pieces by Bartok, Khachaturian, Albéniz and more, and have "re-gypsyfied” them, giving them an exhilarating make-over.Starting out in a concert hall, Maskarada takes the listener through various stages which inevitably lead back to the type of repertoire for which the Taraf de Haidouks are known and loved. The group first moves imperceptibly into a cabaret, where Gypsy musicians have long been adapting classical pieces to entertain their audiences during the early hours of the night.

Listeners are treated to a piece featuring distinguished singer/cimbalom player Virginica Dumitru (the first-ever female Taraf guest instrumentalist) and an interpretation of Les Portes de la Nuit (written by French composer Kosma for the sound track of the eponymous 1946 film by Marcel Carne). The mood gradually heats up and the album closes with a wild finale.

Buy Maskarada

Taraf de Haidouks recordings available:

• In North America: Band of Gypsies 2, Musique des Tziganes de Roumanie, Honourable Brigands, Magic Horses and Evil Eye, Dumbala Dumba, Taraf de Haidouks, Band of Gypsies, Maskarada, Continuing Adventure of Taraf De Haidouks
• In Europe: Band of Gypsies 2, The Continuing Adventures of Taraf De Haidouks: Live, Dumbala Dumba, Taraf De Haidouks, Band of Gypsies, Musique Des Tsiganes De Roumanie, Honourable Brigands Magic Horses and Evil Eye, Maskarada