Fanfare Savale comes from a tiny Eastern Romanian village that has less than two hundred Gypsy inhabitants, where any male can play at least one brass instrument. The area probably has the largest number of bands in Europe. This is the place where the Savale brass band comes from. It would be difficult to follow back in time their vast musical heritage as they have been playing music ever since they can remember and the gift of music and the instruments are passed from one generation to the other.
From kids that are three years old to seventy year old grandparents, each person is a skilled and fully trained musician here.
These Romanian Gypsies earn their living by working their lands and playing music at various feasts, weddings and funeral services. Usually they gather and play music only to cheer themselves up. On the other opportunities, e.g. on the so called “Green Gypsy Thursday” hundred of brass players come together from different villages, to demonstrate their skills, compete and party ”in private”, without entertaining any audience.
These traditions have been preserved for centuries and the Savale are playing something peculiar in this Romanian regionGypsy music that combines the traditions of ancient Gypsy music at a breathtaking speed – up to 200 beats per minute – with those of the Balkan area, producing wonderfully rhythmic tunes played. These twelve musicians know extremely well the various music style and although, most of them are barely able to play music by notes, can play any tune after hearing it only once.
sThe Savale had a large number of performance in Romania, they were invited to music festivals, carnivals and various celebrations, have played several times in Hungary and recorded a few tunes for a German studio.
Line up: Ivancea Ciprian Catalin, Ivancea Craciun, Raducanu Dumitru, Burca Panagache, Margeanu Gheorghe, Dragoi Gheorghe, Ivancea Iosif, Cantea Georgel, Dusu Ion, Preda Costica, Conache Gheorghe.
Discography:
Speed Brass Of The Gypsies (Sub Rosa, 2007)
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.