Detailed Program

Hungarian Rhapsody – America

 

Part 1

1. OVERTURE: Dances from Szatmár

The program is kicked off by the exciting, and perhaps most characteristic dances, of the Hungarians:  the Csárdás [couple’s dance] and the Verbunk [men’s dance] from Szatmár, Northeastern Hungary.

 

2. TWO OF A KIND: Dances from Somogy and Kalocsa [Southwestern Hungary]

Dances from two folklore-rich areas of Southwestern Hungary are introduced.  The woman’s bottle dance, swineherd man’s dance, and csárdás from Somogy is paired with the marching dance and csárdás from Kalocsa, an area which, besides the dances, is also adored for its wonderfully embroidered costumes. The two dance dialects highlight the similarities in their jumping dance style.

 

3. ETERNAL KALOTASZEG: Couple and men’s dance from Eastern Transylvania

This composition features the dances of a very colorful geographic region predominantly inhabited by Hungarians (now in the political borders of Romania).  The elaborate costumes of the women, the virtuous dances of the men, and the sensuous couple’s dance are sure to impress. 

 

4. MUSIC FROM BONCHIDA:  Folk Music to Remember the Renaissance

This musical selection features the very characteristic music from Bonchida, in Transylvania – a village where Hungarians, Romanians and Gypsies harmoniously live side-by-side. The wonderful melodies originating from the renaissance period was preserved by Gypsy musicians throughout the centuries. The typical band from this area includes a cimbalom (hammered dulcimer) which ornaments and rounds out the music.

 

5. GIRLS FROM MOLDVA: Ancient Songs and Dances from the East Carpathians

This is the oldest genre of folk music and dance which survived only in the most remote geographic areas.  Moldva lays on the Eastern slope of the Carpathian Mountains, and is the farthest east one can still find Hungarians who preserved their culture. It is reminiscent of the Middle Ages in its costuming, dance and music.

 

6. RHYTHMIC VARIATIONS: Men’s Solo Dance from Méhkerék

In Hungary, one of the most exciting and difficult improvised men’s dances can be found in the small southeastern village of Méhkerék, inhabited mostly by Romanians.  Playful rhythmic variations of improvised stomping, heel clicking, and slapping offer infinite possibilities.

 

7. REMEMBERING THE RHAPSODY: Musical Remembrance of Liszt’s Rhapsodies

Franz Liszt composed 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies based on folk-tunes, which made Hungarian music known world-over. This musical interlude, played in a traditional Gypsy band style, reminds us of the virtuosic music which may have inspired one of the greatest composers we know today, the Hungarian-born Liszt.

 

8. COLOR AND HIGH SPIRITS: Dances from Rábaköz, Western Hungary

The dances of this area are energetic and versatile. The jumping dance called the “dus,” the verbunk (military recruiting dance of men), and the slow and fast csárdás offer a glimpse into the complete dance culture of the area. The costumes are also elaborate and colorful in the villages of this region.

 

INTERMISSION

Part 2

1. IMPROVISATION GALORE: Dance of Mezőség, Eastern Transylvania

Improvisation is the most important overriding characteristic of Hungarian dance, in which the dancers use the dance motifs as words and they thread their dance into beautiful sentences. This area is especially noted for highly versatile and unpredictable styling, which is offered by the innumerable possibilities, all rooted in improvised dance.

 

2. THE CIMBALOM: Meet One of the Most Exciting Hungarian Instruments

The hammered dulcimer probably originated from Asia thousands of years ago, though today it can be found, in different forms, in many Asian and European folk cultures. In 1874 a Hungarian instrument maker József Vencel Schunda redesigned the instrument by placing a pedal on the strings, making it possible for the cimbalom to become a true concert instrument. It requires exeptional talent and dedication to be able to play the instrument which has over 100 open strings, all hammered with sticks.

 

3. MEDIEVAL ROOTS OF CULTURE:  Dances from Gyimes – Eastern Transylvania

The dance culture of an area may change based on historical trends and fashions, but in the remote geographic location of Gyimes, the dance culture has not changed since the Middle Ages.  We will see the jártató (walking) and the lassú (slow) and sebes (fast) magyaros (Hungarian) dances. The instrumentation is also unique, featuring the gardon (percussive cello), which is uniqute to this area.

 

4. GOSSIP:  Who? What? No – Don’t Tell Me.

What happens when more than a dozen girls meet in a village square? They will exchange seemingly  important information about boys, relationships, family secrets, other women - and possibly shop for even more information?

 

5. DREAMING: Folk Songs from the Székely Region of Transylvania

Enjoy a beautiful song from the most characeteristically Hungarian area of Transylvania, melodies of sturdy and strong-willed people called Székelys (or Seklers) who have survived the winds of historical changes over the last centuries. This song has a particularly old-style lyrical melody.

 

6. TEST OF SKILLS: Men’s Dances with Tools

The men show off their physical dexterity through the use of every-day tools used in the trades.  This choreography embraces dances from Hungary and Transylvania – spiced with a characteristic dance from the village of Elek, located in Southeastern Hungary.

 

7. THE TRADITIONAL GYPSY ORCHESTRA: Music from the Szatmár Region of Northeastern Hungary

A traditional Gypsy band is featured showing of its musicians’ skillful playing techniques. The music from this area represents an immediately recognizable and typical Hungarian style, rooted in romantic ninetheenth century music.

 

8. FINALE: Dances from the Küküllő Region of the Székely Area of Transylvania

The valley around the Küküllő River is rich in folklore – here, Hungarians, Romanians, and Roma people live in many neighbouring small villages and their music and dance can reach surprisingly high energy levels.  Authenticity, improvisation, respect for other cultures, virtuosity and dignity characterizing this presentation of dances from this region, with which the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble bids farewell. 

 

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