artist : Toni Iordache
title : Sounds From A Bygone Age Vol 4
label : Asphalt Tango
cat# : CD-ATR1307
genre : Folk
street date : 2007-04-27
tracks : 14
bitrate : 203 kbps avg. 44.1/Joint Stereo
size : 74.38 mb
source : CD
type : Retail
url : http://www.asphalt-tango.de
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At the age of four Toni Iordache got to know the smaller portable version
of the tzambal (cimbalom). Iordache's friend, the trumpeter Costel
Vasilescu, remembers their first meeting well: "I met Toni in 1954 in a
village on the outskirts of Bucharest. Toni was playing there and everyone
was just standing around him and getting scared, because his playing was
so insanely good."
Iordache was so gifted a musician he soon was sent on tour through many
European countries, the USA and Asia as a representative of Socialist
Romania. Returning home he often drove from Bucharest Airport straight to
a wedding where his band were waiting for him. At the beginning of the
1970s he was arrested for the illegal possession of foreign currency.
Apparently he wanted to buy his wife a fur coat with the money he had
earned abroad. Even the prestigious orchestra leader Florian Economu
couldn't help his soloist at the trial when he spoke up for him: "We have
three giants in Romania, Nicolae Ceausescu (head of state), Ilie Nastase
(Romanian tennis champion) and the tzambal player Toni Iordache! Do you
really want to convict him for a few dollars?".
Toni Iordache was famous for his complex solos, a gifted ensemble player,
who enriched many melodies with oriental elements and sophisticated
rhythms. For him the technique of playing the tzambal was not solely one
of speed; his sensitive touch, immense skill and imaginative verve marked
him as a master amongst Lautari.
Seriously ill with diabetes, Toni Iordache died in February 1988. Dan
Armeanca, the godfather of Romanian Gypsy pop, states: "Toni was a genius
on the tzambal, ones like that are not born twice. He respected tradition,
but even back then he allowed jazz influences to sound through. He gave us
young musicians courage due to his musical audacity."
This album contains several Iordache instrumentals alongside recordings
with the Lautari singers Gabi Lunca and Romica Puceanu.
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01 Variatiuni Pe Tema "Foaie Verde Si-o Craita" 2:54
02 Grea Mi-e Doamne, Inima (With Gabi Lunca) 4:21
03 Sirba De La Medgidia 3:21
04 Cantec De Ascultare Si Breaza 2:33
05 Intr-o Joi De Dimineata (With Romica Puceanu) 6:01
06 Balada Haiduceasca 5:05
07 Ca La Breaza 2:35
08 Omul Bun N-are Noroc (With Gabi Lunca) 4:09
09 Cantec De Masa 2:12
10 As Munci La Plug Si La Coasa (With Romica Puceanu) 3:07
11 Cantec De Ascultare Al Lui Stoican Batrinul 3:26
12 Geamparale De La Babadag 1:41
13 Tinerete, Tinerete (With Romica Puceanu) 7:24
14 Doina Transilvania 2:30
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