A living illustration of the endless motion of music, Balogh and his band energetically reference a dizzying array of styles and approaches, from the flamboyantly virtuosic to the introspective, from Balkan wedding music to Latin jazz. Here traditional Gypsy fiddling meets soft jazz trumpet while Hungarian, Macedonian, and Romanian tunes join together in a round dance, with references to Brahms and Liszt and Bach.
Kalman Balogh is one of the greatest living masters of the cimbalom, a 36-stringed Central European hammered dulcimer that possesses piano-like percussive abilities to drive a band rhythmically or take the melodic lead or, in expert hands, to do both simultaneously. Balogh is both the descendant of a famous family of Hungarian Gypsy musicians and a graduate of the Franz Liszt University of Music in Budapest. His virtuosity is matched only by his understanding of and respect for his heritage. In the tradition of masters like guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli, he dynamically merges music from the old and new worlds, connecting the ancient folk music traditions of Central and Eastern Europe with the chord progressions and swing of jazz. Melodies which have been polished in European villages for centuries are interpreted with great respect and understanding. The cimbalom becomes a new and compelling voice centering a band that also includes acoustic bass, acoustic guitar, trumpet, and violins. Similarities in jazz and traditional folk music, such as improvisation and a kaleidoscope of emotional expressions, are immediately evident.
The cimbalom traces its modern invention back to the last three decades of the 19th century, but it existed in many other forms for centuries. Today the instrument resembles nothing so much as a thick trapezoidal wooden table with sets of strings on its surface running at seemingly dizzying diagonals, the whole held aloft by trunklike legs. Todays cimbalom has about 125 metal strings with 3 to 5 strings per note. But this powerful, tightly strung instrument was originaly a much smaller, portable one which the strolling player supported with a strap around their neck. Like pianos, accordions, and guitars, the cimbalom has always been a marvelously versatile creation and an essential part of a band. It can whisper like the wind, or carry the force of a musical machine gun. It plays gentle chords, and outlines the harmony, but can take a solo like no ones business. It supports forward motion with bold basslines, but its rolled chords, its glorious arpeggios, are perhaps the hallmark of its identity.
Kalman Balogh has been honing his undoubted musical skills for about twenty years, playing with the best of Hungarys folk musicians with excursions into classical, jazz and rock. The music is in their blood, and the band combine their virtuosity inherited through belonging to famous musical dynasties, with a familiarity with different musical genres and styles.
Improvisation is at the heart of their music and has broadened the bands horizons with elements of Latin music and flamenco, swing, ragtime and klezmer. This ability is one owned by the best Roma musicians. Different styles are combined to produce a homogeneous and distinctive whole -- Gypsy music and in their case acoustic, jazzy Roma traditions from the Balkans result in a colourful, playful and totally new music.
Kalman Balogh and The Gypsy Cimbalom Band bring a contemporary and uniquely forward-looking edge to time honored traditions, leaving audiences enthralled and inspired.This is a rare opportunity to see and hear one of Europe's most exciting world beat artists.
Date and Time
Thursday Oct 25, 2007
8:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT
8 p.m. on Thursday October 25th
Location
The Smith Opera House82 Seneca St.Geneva, NY
Fees/Admission
Tickets are available at the Smith Opera House box office, by calling 315-781-LIVE (5483) or toll free 866-355-LIVE (5483), or online at www.TheSmith.org. The Smith accepts MasterCard, Visa and Discover.
Website
Contact Information
315-781-LIVE (5483) or toll free 866-355-LIVE (5483)
