Romanian Folk Music

Romania's geographical position and turbulent history helped develope a strikingly original and rich national folk music. Situated at the confluence of western and eastern civilizations, with some of its provinces being part of the Otoman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire and The Russian Empire for 100s of years, Romania was a country in which a wide range of people and customs met and developed.

The great XX-th century Hungarian musician, Bela Bartok, was one of the many who collected and recorded Romanian folk music which he later used in many of his compositions.

Some of the features of the Romanian folk music are its improvisatory character, the asymmetric rhythms, the huge modal variety as well as the great virtuosity of its performers. The gipsy community had a very important role over the years in the preservation and developement of the Romanian folk music. Even nowadays, a trip to Clejani to listen to "Taraf des Haidouks" when they are not touring, might prove almost a life changing experience!

Some of the famous romanian folk music performers are: Gheorghe Zamfir (pan flute), Maria Tanase (singer), Efta Botoca (violin, viola), etc.