Lautari’s music is modern, jazzy in sound rooted in Central European tradition. Folk motives, played on piano, violin, clarinet and flutes, thanks to brave arrangements and great dose of improvisation gather vital character in which tradition encounters modernity. The group was established in October 2000 and is based in Poznan, Poland. They draw inspiration from the music and attitudes of the Gypsy Lautars, masters and virtuosi of improvisation creating “gypsy jazz”, as well as from simple forms of folk applied arts.
The original lineup incluided Maciej Filipczuk – fiddle; Jacek Halas – prepared piano, accordion; Michal Zak – clarinet, flute, shawm, sampler; and Marcin Pospieszalski – double bass.
Their first CD, Musica Lautareasca Nova, involves instrumental compositions inspired by the traditional music of the Polish lowlands, the eastern and southern regions of the Carpathian mountains, the Balkans, and the Black Sea coast. “The sources of our music are musical notations (Kurpie), archival recordings (Greece, Macedonia, the music of Ashkenazi Jews), our own musical compositions and, most important, close and direct contact with village musicians still practicing traditional performance techniques (Poland, Romania, and Ukraine).
The basis of the album is our belief that the most interesting aspects of folk music originate in “borderland” areas where many cultures interpenetrate each other (e.g. Bukovina, Transylvania, Bessarabia, and Dobruja). In such environments musical motifs cross geographical borders and, arriving from distant places, join together to become statements of understanding without losing their original identities.”
The musical structure of Musica Lautareasca Nova is dual. On the one hand it emphasizes unity, homogeneity, and harmony of sound, on the other hand leaves space for individual expression and improvisation.
The second CD, Azaran, is the result of their fascination with the Byzantine music and influences from different lands-Greece, Turkey, Armenia, Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria-all melted in one pot.
They reformed as a quartet in 2015 for the release of their album, Vol 67, their first project fully dedicated to Polish folk music, which was recorded live at the Lodz Philharmonic. The 2016 lineup included Maciej Filipczuk – violin; Zbigniew Lowzyl – piano; Michal Zak – flutes, clarinet, shawms; and Robert Siwak – drums.
Discography
Musica Lautareasca Nova
Azaran (Pracownia Artystyczna Samograj, 2006
Vol. 67 (Wodzirej, 2015)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
