The night of Eastern European Music.
You will hear the Romanian Fanfare Ciocarlia, the Ukranian Pushkin Klezmer band, and the Cossack rock of Haydamaky.
After that, Eva Salina from New York, who sings songs by Saban Bajramovic, the Russian-Dutch singer/accordionist Irena Filippova, the Bosnian Amira Medunjanin, and the International Semer Ensemble from Berlin.
’20’ is the recently released double album by the Romanian group Fanfare Ciocarlia. The group decided to celebrate the 20th birthday of their international succes by releasing this double album, which compiles their first five records, and is an excellent showcase of their diverse musical prowess. The themes are: Roots, Oriënt, Jam and Amigos.
The Pushkin Klezmer Band is a klezmer band from Kiev, founded in 2010. In the hands of these young klezmorim, the old themes are incorporated into modern jazz and world music. In limbo between these genres, Pushkin finds its own saccharine style. Tonight their recent debut album ‘Uber Alles”.
Also Ukrainian is the music of Haydamaky. Their music is inspired by etnhic sounds from all over the world, but especially the regions of the Ukraine. They call it Cossack Rock – an eclectic mix of reggae, punk, and of course Ukrainian melodies. Listen to their album ‘Ukraine Calling’
Eva Salina came of age in the Balkan music community, and was familiar with the music of Serbian singer Šaban Bajramović from a young age. In the 60’s and 70’s, Bajramović was the most influential Romani singer of his generation. Some call him the King of Roma Music, Eva Salina honours Bajramović, filtered through the lens of her own New York Jazz and Beat-influences. Check out her album ‘Lema Lema: Eva Salina sings Šaban Bajramović’
Irena Filippova was born in Balashov on the Volga, south-east of Moskow. She graduated Cum Laude from the Conservatory of Rostov on accordeon. During a concours in Germany, the Royal Conservatory of the Hague noticed her talent. She was invited to do her Master’s in the Netherlands, and took the bus in 1998. Now she tours theatres with her 5th stage production: ‘Russin zoekt man!?.”
Silk & Stone from 2015 by Amira Medunjan was a step towards global revelation of the ‘Sevdah’, Sevdah is a musical style from Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Sevdah (or Secdalinka) is composed in a so-called gypsy scale, suggesting an oriental mood. The accordeon and fiddle are characteristic instruments, often acompanied by guitar and percussion. ‘Silk & Stone’ by Amira Medunjan.
The Semer Ensemble, directed by Alan Bern, revitalised the Semer label. The band selected pieces that touched them the most. This album was recorded live in the spring of 2016, in the Maxim Gorki theatre, Berlin. Until o’ clock, listen to this recording by the Semer Ensemble – Live at Gorki Berlin.
