Traditional Music From Macedonia

by Strune

Overview

Strune (the name means "Strings") is an ensemble of instrumentalists and male and female vocalists. The album title suggests they are rural with only a couple of performers. In reality, they are urban with a classical background and university training. They are more like a small orchestra, with six musicians who between them play accordion, two violins, guitar, lute, banjo, trumpet, double bass, and indigenous drums. This kind of group is descended from an ensemble from the Ottoman era, but the instruments have been updated and Westernized. The instrumental texture and body are almost orchestral, very full and rich; the singing is good, not great, and sometimes it gets in the way of the great instrumental sound. There are a lot of wonderful songs one could mention. "Se Zapali Mace Planimata (Mount Maca Is Burning)" is a moody, mid-tempo number with the typical Slavic melodic phrases. (Other tracks sound more Middle Eastern.) "Dvajspetorka" is amazing because it has a time signature of 25/8, which means that each measure is built up out of about seven smaller metrical units. Some of the tracks are more traditional, fast little country tunes. But the great texture is still there, just a little leaner. This disc is enjoyable in so many ways, it's impossible to catalog them. ~ Kurt Keefner

Product Details

Release Date:	10/26/2010
Label:	Arc Music
UPC:	5019396230729
Rank:	182461

Tracks

1. Zajdi, Zajdi, Jasno Sonce (Zalaj Goro, Zalaj Sestro)
2. Ne Pribiraj Mila Majko Strojnici
3. Sirak Se Stojan Razbole
4. Dvajspetorka
5. Gugutka Guka
6. Se Zapali Mace Planinata
7. Marijo Mori Kumrijo
8. Aj Iznikna Mi Badem Drvo
9. Makedonsko Oro
10. Po Drum Odam Majce
11. Snosti Si Mila Mamo
12. Blaguno Dejce
13. So Maki Sum Se Rodila
14. Nevesto, Mori Nevesto
15. Se Zapali Pile Treno
16. Filizo, Mome Filizo
17. Zlestosko
18. Ludo Mlado Sekerlija
19. Bre Vodenicare
20. Dracevka

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Strune   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

Jesse Reuben Wilson   Cover Design
Ljuben Dimkaroski   Composer,Arranger
Ute Entwistle   Layout Design,Typesetting
Barbara Papadopoulos   Typesetting,Layout Design
Traditional   Composer
Diz Heller   Pre-Mastering