(headline image: Söndörgő ©The Orbital Strangers Project)
Söndörgő, a Hungarian band known for its mix of traditional music, classical sophistication, rock energy, and the pure influence of Bartók, has established itself as a leading force in the international world music scene. Formed in the late 1990s, the band comprises four members of the Eredics family; brothers Áron, Benjamin, and Salamon, along with their cousin Dávid; and was deeply influenced by the legendary Vujicsics Ensemble, dedicated to authentic South Slavic folk music for nearly fifty years.
The band specializes in traditional Southern Slavic music, viewing tradition as a dynamic and evolving entity rather than a static artifact. They are well-versed in the historical roots of their music, with all four Eredics members teaching at the Department of Folk Music at the Budapest Academy of Music. However, their primary focus is on the contemporary and future potential of traditional music. Their earlier works reflected a strong absorption of traditional influences, as seen in their collaboration with Macedonian music legend Ferus Mustafov. With the 2010 release of Lost Music of the Balkans, which was distributed in over 60 countries, they began to explore how they could innovate within these traditions.
Söndörgő’s primary instrument is the tambura, a plucked instrument prominent in Serbian and Hungarian folk music, but they also incorporate various wind instruments and the accordion into their sound. Commonly labeled as world music, their widely distributed 2014 album Tamburocket achieved significant acclaim, topping European world music charts and earning accolades from Songlines and fRoots magazines.
Their 2019 album Eight 8 Eight represents a fusion of genres unique to Söndörgő, structured as a concept album where songs seamlessly transition into one another, much like their live performances. The year 2020 marked a significant turning point, as the pandemic halted their intense touring schedule, prompting reflection on their first 25 years. This period also saw the first personnel change, with Ábel Dénes replacing long-time bassist and cello tambourine player Attila Buzás. Despite these changes, the band continued to create, working on a new album that integrates strict compositions with free improvisations, staying true to Béla Bartók’s principle of drawing from clean, fresh, and healthy sources.
In 2024, Söndörgő embarked on a new phase of growth with a record deal from Ground Up Music and the release of their transformative album Gyezz, featuring jazz saxophonist Chris Potter. Their collaboration with 3S Music’s forward-thinking management further expanded their global reach, solidifying their status as an innovative force in the music industry.
Gyezz topped the World Music Charts Europe for September 2024.
Discography:
Oj Stari (Vujicsics Association, 2001)
Oj Javore (Periferic Records, 2006)
Söndörgő & Ferus Mustafov – In Concert (Hangvető Zenei Terjesztő Társulás, 2008)
Tamburising – Lost Music Of The Balkans (World Village, Harmonia Mundi s.a., 2011)
Tamburocket – Hungarian Fireworks (World Music Network, Riverboat Records, 2014)
Live Wires (World Music Network, Riverboat Records, 216)
Szikra, with Amsterdam Klezmer Band (Vetnasj Records, 218)
Nyolc 8 Nyolc (Sndrg Music, 2019)
Gyezz (GroundUp, 2024)
Author: JGurski
Updated biography.