May I Kiss Your Hand: Hungarian & Gypsy Fiddle Music & Songs

Amazon.com
The debut album from Csokolom is bursting with festive dance tunes, haunting laments, and a recurring Gypsy influence. The shuffling fiddle and walking bass that kick off "Amari Szi, Amari" wouldn't be out of place in a Southern American string band, but when arranger-musician Anti von Klewitz comes in with her distinctive lilting voice we are transported to another land. While concentrating on traditional Hungarian instrumentals and songs such as the gorgeous gem "Szerelem," von Klewitz also leads this accomplished group of violin, viola, kontra (Hungarian chord violin), and double bass players through original songs in several languages. A solid grounding in traditional music informs the single four-hour session, during which most of the material was recorded, lending it an energetic cohesiveness. American listeners who have pricked up their ears for the sounds of the Hungarian band Muzsikas (with Marta Sebestyen) or Finland's Varttina will be pleased. --Peter Irvine

Tracks:

Amari Szi, Amari
Kaltotaszegi Legenyes (in C Minor)
Medved Na Lancu
Lulu-Valse
Feljott A Nap/Romanian Dance #4
Nu Face Bine/Romanian Hora (in B Minor)
Szerelem/Lorincreve (in A)
Mori Shej, Sabina
Gankino Horo
Mysterieuse
Anii Mei
Dance From Gyimes
Eddig Vendeg
Keserves/Szekelyfoldy
Kalotaszegi Legenyes (in F)
Cinege
Szatmari/Csokolom/Szatmari
Amari Szi, Amari (Slow Version)
Janoska/Szatmari
Lorincreve (in G)

Amazon.com

The debut album from Csokolom is bursting with festive dance tunes, haunting laments, and a recurring Gypsy influence. The shuffling fiddle and walking bass that kick off "Amari Szi, Amari" wouldn't be out of place in a Southern American string band, but when arranger-musician Anti von Klewitz comes in with her distinctive lilting voice we are transported to another land. While concentrating on traditional Hungarian instrumentals and songs such as the gorgeous gem "Szerelem," von Klewitz also leads this accomplished group of violin, viola, kontra (Hungarian chord violin), and double bass players through original songs in several languages. A solid grounding in traditional music informs the single four-hour session, during which most of the material was recorded, lending it an energetic cohesiveness. American listeners who have pricked up their ears for the sounds of the Hungarian band Muzsikas (with Marta Sebestyen) or Finland's Varttina will be pleased. --Peter Irvine

Customer Reviews:

Interesting....but.......2007-08-02

While this album is a nice collection of pieces and pleasant to listen to, I feel a lot of the songs have lost their original feel. If you want to hear the song "Mori Shej, Sabina" the way it's supposed to be sung - listen to Jozsef Balogh (of the band Kalyi Jag) sing it on the album "O Suno". If you want to hear the song "Szerelem" or "Cinege" listen to the versions by the Sebo Ensemble (called "Love, Love/Where Were You at Night Titmouse?") on their album. I feel the songs on Csokolom are mere imitations sung with bad accents, but if it will make non-Eastern Europeans appreciate the music of this region, more power to them.

Hungarian music but not lyrics.......2000-03-06

With a title like Csokolom- Hungarian Fiddle music - at least half of the lyrics should have been in Hungarian but the music is still something I'd enjoy seeing live. Hope I find out about their next visit to NJ.

hair-raising!.......1999-08-24

just saw them in concert, bought the cd and have been playing it just about nonstop ever since. terrific energy, terrific variety. bravo to arhoolie for bringing this one out.

It was only okay........1999-07-12

I am really disappointed. I suppose if I was just exploring music from other countries, I might find it acceptable. But with Hungarian ancestory and a "purist" when it comes to this music, I found the "hungarian" part was almost non-existent.

5 Stars is not enough! This album is mesmerizing!.......1999-06-13

My husband bought this album on a whim a few months ago. Since then, it's rarely been out of our CD player, except when one of us sneaks it to work. It's a wonderful fusion of modern fiddle playing and Gypsy tunes, a combination of virtuoso jazz violin and music ethnography. Anti von Klewitz delivers an astonishing performance, singing in three different languages while she bows and plucks complicated rhythms and melodies on her violin. I can only imagine what a live performance must be like! The liner notes provide translations of the songs as well as brief comments on their origins. I was left panting for more and have since purchased other gypsy and fiddle albums, but they pale in comparison. I eagerly await Csokolom's next release, or I will have to make the trip to Europe to hear them live.

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