NOTE TO READER

This blog is meant to act as the journal portion of the HUMA1100 Case Study assignment. It makes more sense when reading from the oldest post to the newest, so feel free to scroll to the bottom. The first post is an introduction. Thanks!

Resources

There's a lot of history that leads up to Romanian folklore music heard today. Even though it is still traditional, modern influences have left a footprint. Since it would be a lot to write if I talked about all the history and theory behind the dance music, I have attached several links that I will make reference to in my paper. In this blog, I have discussed the "what" of the Romanian dance folklore tradition from Banat, but these help answer the "why".

FYI: they are mostly in Romanian

Romanian history:   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d5UmBcqJfnqMFYRN1LWPbfHaYdZlV2MDDBSvwmWtbsI/pub

History of the Banat region: http://www.universulromanesc.com/ginta/threads/942-Banatul-Repere-Istorice-geneza-regiunii

University course on Romanian folklore music - discusses theory and technique: http://www.spiruharet.ro/facultati/muzica/biblioteca/901bda585e55d6f1522e015a222de404.pdf

Origins of dance in Romania : https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://origineagherga.blogspot.ca/2011/09/dansatorii-gherga.html&source=gmail&ust=1478071941404000&usg=AFQjCNHf-E3tH_TFRdB-WufwK9VtnVolfQ

Traditional Folklore Clothing

In a few of the previous videos, it was possible to see the different outfits worn by the men and the women. Each region in Romania is known for a different type of outfit, though they are all fairly similar. Traditionally, they are all hand-sewn and embroidered. It takes quite a bit of time and expertise to make them by hand, so they can be pretty expensive. I will briefly talk about the women's and men's outfits.

LADIES
The ladies outfits consist of several different pieces. First, you would put on the "ie" [ee-eh] which is the shirt. You would tuck the shirt into a skirt. Both of which are relatively loose and not form-fitting. Next comes the "catrinta" [kah-tr-een-tsa] which is sort of like an apron. There's one in the front and one in the back. These are usually the most ornamental and have the most embroidery. The "brau" is a belt which cinches waist in order to achieve a more feminine and form-flattering silhouette and also to cover up the ribbons that were used to tie the aprons around the waist. Lastly, an embroidered vest is worn over the shirt, though the vest can be optional.

MEN:
The outfits that the gents wear have similar embroidery elements and components as well. They also have the "ie" shirt which is typically longer than the ladies' one. It goes down close tot he knees, and is worn over white or beige loose-fitting pants. It is also held together by the "brau" belt. An embroidered vest is worn over top of the shirt.

The colour scheme is typically red+gold, blue+gold, or black+gold. The Romanian flag is tricolour red, yellow, and blue which is why those colours are very common in the costumes.

Shall We Dance?

In the preceding post, you watched a video featuring only instrumental music. Compared to the "hora" music, it was more upbeat, and the video even had people dancing in it. This is because that type of music is meant for dancing. There are professional groups that perform more complex dances, but there are also less complex dances that guests at parties can enjoy. It's similar to ballroom dancing in that it can really be adjusted for every level of expertise. I've attached three videos below. The first one is a professional dance group from Banat that performs across the country as well as internationally. The next video is the amateur dance group I was a part of growing up. We performed at festivals throughout North America, but it was more of a social thing we did as a hobby. The final video is improvised dancing of guests at a party just having fun.

Video 1: "Ansamblul Timisul" (Translates to "Ensemble from Timisoara" - a city In the Banat region)

This video features a professional dance group. Many Romanian dances contain a suite of songs, with different types of steps and musical tempo to match. They usually start off slowly and gradually pick up speed. Some suites may contain dances that highlight the men or the women. This one has one that just features the men, but there are many dances where the women are the focal point. The dances generally end with a rapid series of turns and spins.



Video 2: The amateur Romanian dance group I was a part of
BEST TO START AROUND 1:00

This video also follows a similar pattern in that it starts off slowly and ends at a faster tempo. The men also have a "solo" part in this suite.





Video 3: Dancing at a party

Although not instrumental, this music is much more upbeat than the other music featuring vocalists so that people can dance to it. This is a "dans de doi" meant to be danced by a couple, but people can also choose to dance the steps in small groups. As you can see from the video, some dancers do more complex steps with twists and turns, while others stick to the basic steps.

The Taragot: Taking it Further

AsI mentioned before, the taragot is a key instrument in Romanian folklore music. I  have dedicated a post specifically to this instrument because it is not as well-known in the Western world as Western instruments such as the trumpet, saxophone, or violin. Because Romania is a European country though, Western instruments have a strong presence in the music because of the influence from neighbouring countries and because often people who play or have played folklore music may also participate in classical ensembles. I've attached several links which detail the history of the instrument and its importance in the context of Romanian culture. I have also attached a video which highlights the taragot.

Link: http://www.11thmuse.com/history.html

Link: http://www.11thmuse.com/taragot.html

Link: http://www.europeana.eu/portal/en/record/2048047/Athena_Plus_ProvidedCHO_Institutul_Na_ional_al_Patrimoniului_25E8F1C22AFF4F2EBE8B4F08F93A3E3C.html

Investigating the Instruments

So we took a look at the "hora" circle dance that party guests partake in, saw a few examples of the songs the "hora" would be danced to, and discussed the text and musical structure. Behind the vocalist's melody are several key instruments that can be found in most songs from the Banat area (and throughout Romania). These instruments don't just play in the "hora" dance songs, but also the partner dance songs and slower performance music. 

The saxophone is a very important instrument in many pieces, often featured in the melody

The trumpet is also an instrument that will be the melodic highlight of a piece

This is a taragot. It is of Hungarian origin actually, but was adopted in the Romanian folklore music culture. As this an instrument that is most unfamiliar to the Western culture, I will be discussing this instrument in more detail in a later post. 

As there aren't percussion instruments typically found in traditional music, the accordion usually serves the purpose of keeping the rhythm and adding body to the melodic instruments.  

The flute and violin are also featured in some pieces, but the instruments shown above are most prominent and widely used. Many of the instruments are also seen in Western classical music and are not native to Romania. As Romania is a European country, there was lots of influence from Western Euro music cultures. Additionally, many Romanian musicians who played the traditional music would be musically trained and also participate in classical orchestras.

Text: A Closer Look II

As I mentioned in the previous post, I will now be showcasing another piece to which the "hora" is often danced to. This one is by Nicoleta Voica, who similar to Petrica Moise, is widely admired by Romanians across the country and around the globe. Again, I have attached a recording of the song above, and the lyrics in Romanian and English are shown below.

Am crescut fecior si fata
Mis cu inima impacata (2x)
Ca mi-am lasat viata mea
Numa sa-i pot ajuta

Mi-am zbatut sa le fac bine
Ca asa e o mama pe lume (2x)
Le-am facut voiile toate
Nu le-am zis ca nu se poate

Ma uit la copii cum cresc
Si vad cum imbatranesc (2x)
Dar ii vad fericiti si bine
Si creste inima in mine

Fata canta ca si mine
Fecioru-mi samana bine (2x)
Tine-i doamne sanatosi
Si fa-le anii frumosi

De Li-i scris sa traga rau
Da mi-l doamne sa-i rabd eu (2x)
Lor sa le dai numa bine
Si apoi f ace-i vrea cu mine

Ei sunt bucuria mea
Pentru ei imi dau viata 

English

I raised a son and a daughter

My heart is at peace

I dedicate my life

to help them 

I've tried to do the best for them

because that's how every mother is

I've tried to make their wishes come true

Never telling them it's impossible 

I watch as my children grow

And I can see how I'm getting old

But I see them good and healthy

And my heart swells with happiness 

My daughter sings just like me

My son resembles me

God, keep them healthy

And keep their lives happy

If it's in their fate to carry struggles

God, give them to me to endure

Give them only good

And do what you want with me

They are my happiness

For them I'd give my life