Neculai Florea, Nicolae Amarandei, Valentin Bălășoiu – Moldavia: Peasant tunes from the Old Land of Hârlău (musique paysanne de l’ancien pays de Hârlău) (Buda Musique, 2023)
Situated in the vicinity of Hârlău, an enchanting town nestled in Romanian Moldavia, reside three remarkable traditional musicians who played an integral role in this captivating endeavor: Neculai Florea, Nicolae Amarandei, and Valentin Bălășoiu.
At the heart of “Moldavia: Peasant tunes from the Old Land of Hârlău” lies the cobza, a melodious plucked string instrument that serves as the cornerstone of the rural repertoire. Accompanied by the charming tones of the violin and the enchanting melodies of the shepherd’s flute, these compositions reverberate with dance tunes, such as the lively hore, the soulful sârbe, and the energetic bătute. Additionally, the album presents touching songs, often steeped in satire or rooted in the ancient bardic folk tradition.
This exceptional compilation transports listeners to the radiant era of Romanian peasant music, a time brimming with cultural abundance and artistic excellence.
The tracklist encompasses a diverse range of evocative pieces that exude the essence of this region’s musical heritage. Noteworthy tracks include the spirited “Bătuta de la Flămânzi,” the graceful “Sârba lui Lascu,” the rhythmic “Bătuta Cotcodac,” and the timeless “Bătrâneasca de la Albești.” Moreover, the album captures the lively “Sârba din Deleni,” the captivating “Bătuta,” the resonant “Bocancii,” and the engaging “Hârlăoanca.” Additional tracks comprise the vibrant “Sârba de la Victoria,” the charming “Șotișa,” the haunting “Sârba cu năframă,” the reflective “Mărgineanca,” and the enticing “Țâca din Deleni.”
Embarking on this musical odyssey, listeners are also treated to the captivating melodies of “Sârba popilor,” the plaintive strains of “Doina ciobanului,” and the alluring invitation of “Vino, mândro, vino.” The album further delights with the enthralling “Bătuta 2,” the endearing “Ilenuță, draga mea,” the rousing “M-o pus dracu’ să mă-nsor,” and the jubilant “Pe săltate, ca la Deleni.”
The soulful “Sârba din Deleni solo” and the mesmerizing “Sârba” continue to attract, while the poignant “Fetele din satul meu solo” and the evocative “Țâca din Deleni solo” demonstrate the artists’ virtuosity. Finally, the collection culminates with the uplifting “Sînt flăcău de la Deleni.”
This extraordinary musical voyage is impeccably complemented by the meticulous contributions of Sașa-Liviu Stoianovici (Balkan Taksim), who meticulously handled the recording, text, and photography, capturing the spirit and essence of this remarkable project.
Buy Moldavia: Peasant tunes from the Old Land of Hârlău
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.