WOMEX 11 Guide

WOMEX Opening Concert:Hungarian HeartbeatsWednesday 20:00 Koncerthuset/Studio 1brass as they delve deeper into the Balkans. The cimbalomsunderline their versatility as they collaborate with theinnovative electric guitar/flute duo of Both-Dongó andthe peerless saxophone of Mihály Dresch. On top of allthis Ági Szalóki confirms her status as one of the new starsin the firmament of great female vocalists with glimpses ofjust some of the styles at her command. Here are songs oflove and loss, aching melodies and rhythms to raise thepulse and set the feet tapping. Even a dance or two…o n lo c at i o nwomex OpeningPresented byHungarian Heartbeats is an exciting, wide-rangingconcert programme created especially for the WOMEX11 Opening. As well as featuring three Hungarian bandsexploring varied traditions, the show highlights a numberof versatile soloists brought together for this specialperformance.Hungarian folk music is a fine example of how complexcross-cultural currents have evolved historically to producemany distinctive yet related forms within a relativelysmall area. Bridging East and West, the most ancientelements are rooted in Asia, while some features ofWestern European music and dance have spread steadilysince the Middle Ages – the Renaissance left its mark and19 th century Romantic influences from Viennese parlourswere felt in even the smallest village.Folk music is an applied art in the narrowest sense asdemonstrated by the fact that its exponents have alwaysadapted it to their own needs and integrated their newmusical experiences into the old patterns. Since Bartókand Kodály, there has been a persistent urge to canonisefolklore, but it constantly manages to avoid such attempts.Peasant musicians played a variety of tunes to serve localrequirements, thus establishing connections betweenthose of different nationality, religion and social status. Notonly are some melodies shared by different communities,albeit with clear variations, in places such as the meltingpot of Transylvania certain borrowings have survivedsolely among those who adopted them while falling intodisuse elsewhere.In a wider context, Hungary has always been at thecrossroads and migrating peoples have brought theirown traditions to enrich the cultural fabric of the land.The multiplicity of musics, many of which have had along journey through both space and time, is a directresult of Hungary’s position at the heart of Europe. Morerecently, although location has become less relevant asinfluences from even further afield have arrived with theglobal spread of popular culture, a strong sense of placepersists, even for forward-looking artists formulating newstatements.The first popular folk revival in Hungary was associatedwith the ‘Táncház (dance house) Movement’ that beganin the 1970s, the success of which brought the realisationthat village music and dance culture could provide arelevant cultural experience for younger generations.The enduring success of dance houses throughout thecountry ensures a ‘living tradition’ that fosters links to avariety of different cultures.Hungarian Heartbeats aims to celebrate some of themusical and cultural diversity that continues to flourish inBudapest and other cities, towns and villages. Taking centrestage will be the cimbalom, two in fact, as the Balogh-Lukács Cimbalom Duo introduce some Roma melodiesfrom their repertoire as well as their own contemporarycompositions. The cimbalom also plays its characteristicrole supporting the twin fiddles of Hungarian folk bandTükrös. As a contrast to the hypnotic bowed dancerhythms, Söndörgő play the tambura band music of theSouthern Slavs and, in company with the powerful vocalsof Kátya Tompos, demonstrate their proficiency withThere is undoubtedly a current renaissance of folk androots music throughout Europe and beyond. As part ofour contribution to this trend, we would like to introducesome of the most original, bold and inspired innovatorsbranching off of the traditional forms of Hungarian folk.This evocative music carries great emotional depth andproves that old roots will always put forth new shoots.Are you ready to let your heart beat in tune with thebeauty of Hungarian music?The WOMEX 11 Opening Concert – Hungarian Heartbeats– is brought to you by Hangvető, in cooperation with thePalace of Arts, Budapest.www.hangveto.hu | www.mupa.huDirector Dusan HégliConcept Endre LiberProducer András LelkesText Phil SaltmarshProduction HangvetőAfter the concert, Emil Biljarszki, aka DJ Second Face, takesa stint mixing traditional Hungarian sounds with some ofthe latest releases from Budapest’s underground scene.› Conference/Speed-Dating: Eastern Europe› Conference/Networking Meetings & Presentations:Hungarian Heartbeats: The Roots of Hungarian Music+ Eastern European Networking Meeting© Andras HajduÁgi Szalóki (Hungary)Contact: HangvetőLabel: FolkEurópaWednesday 20:00 Studio 1Ági Szalóki is one of the most talented representativesof the new generation of Hungarian folk singers thatemerged at the end of the 1990s. Her singing displayssubtle sensitivity, heart-felt honesty and inventiveness,and while she works with accomplished musical heavyweights,her cool control always commands attention.Ági earned her spurs touring with world music revellersBesh o droM and traditional folk ensemble Ökrös, andsince 2005 has pursued a prolific solo career with her ownbands, various formations that embrace a range of styles,bringing her three Fonogram Hungarian Music Awards.As well as traditional Hungarian folk and Roma songs,her performances include jazz-tinged interpretations ofthis repertoire, 1930s ballads and children’s songs. She iscurrently continuing work on the project ‘From Mouthto Mouth’, a world music collaboration between three ofHungary’s finest female folk singers and a talented groupof multi-instrumentalists.www.szalokiagi.huÁgi Szalóki vocalso n lo c at i o nwomex Opening36 37