In both rural and urban Romania, the music is dominated by gypsy acoustic bands. The violins, cimbaloms, accordians and rustic voices of Taraf de Haïdouks are now well known, but there is much more, as this overview of the varied regional traditions shows.
Simon Broughton is editor of World Music: the Rough Guide and has been travelling to Romania since the 1980's.
Listen to the whole programme (17'36) or click on any of the tracks to the left.
Doina de Haiducie by Taraf de Haïdouks album: Romanie; Musique des Tsiganes de Valachie Ocora Fiddler Nicolae Neacsu imitates a shepherd's flute on this tune about brigands (Haidouks).
I'm Very Sad by Panseluta Feraru album: Lautar Songs from Bucharest Long Distance Example of the more polished urban gypsy singers found in Bucharest's restaurants and clubs.
Fast Csardas by Csizar Aladar album: Original Village Music from Upper-Mures Region Fono This fast dance typifies traditional Transylvanian string bands.
My Mother's Rosebush by Muzsikás album: Morning Star Hannibal Hungary's leading singer explores her country's historic links with Transylvania.
