The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4

Subject: The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4
From: Rain Dog
Date: 13 Jan 14 - 10:42 AM

A heads up about a programme due to go out Tuesday 14.1.14 at 11.30 on BBC Radio 4


Forty years on from their formation, Simon Broughton tells the story of Hungarian folk musicians Muzsikas.

Back in 1973, a group of amateur musicians living in Budapest consciously set about creating a folk music revival. But their formation of the group Muzsikas to collect, preserve and perform the traditional music of Hungary and Romania wasn't simply an exercise in nostalgic musical heritage. It was a political act, as much to do with national (even racial) identity and an alignment with pre-Communist culture as it was with a love for 'gipsy' rhythms and Balkan folk melodies .

We trace the story of Muzsikas back to the source from which Bartok similarly drank and examine the wide-reaching impact and legacy of this musical revolution.

Produced by Alan Hall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Transylvanian Blues: The story of Muzsikas

Subject: RE: The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 13 Jan 14 - 10:59 AM

Thanks for that. I never bother checking the Beeb's radio listings these days for the simple reason that there's so little being broadcast any more of any merit or worth. So I'm glad you've pointed that one out to me.

Subject: RE: The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4
From: GUEST,Mike Yates
Date: 13 Jan 14 - 01:41 PM

Their album "Musikas - The Bartok Album", featuring Marta Sebestyen & Alexander Balanescu, has to be one of my all-time favourite albums. It came out on Hannibal CD HNCD1439 and is just stunning.

Subject: RE: The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4
From: Vic Smith
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 08:13 AM

Every one of their albums is outstanding, My favourites are Prisoners Song, The Bartok Album and Morning Star

And don't forget the solo albums that are released under the name of Márta Sebestyén usually with members of Muzsikás of which Kismet shows her deep understanding of a range of traditional singing styles. The album is a masterpiece.

Anyone who saw Márta Sebestyén & Muzsikás perform at Brighton Festival about 12 years ago would not be likely to forget it in a hurry. It was one of the best concerts that I have ever been to.

Subject: RE: The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 11:00 AM

I thought it was a good programme, which tackled the political dimension of Hungarian musician interest in Transylvania, now in Romania, which I witnessed first hand in Hungary in the 1980s. When I was there, I saw the parallels between the interest in searching out traditional musicians, and the resulting urban-based music and dance revival - all happening at exactly the same time that English musicians were becoming more interested in English music and dance - Old Swan, Flowers & Frolics, Umps and Dumps etc....
Derek

Subject: RE: The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 12:32 PM

It reminded me of a Hungarian wedding song that used to be played regularly on a BBC programme called 'Night Ride' back in the 1970s - a kind of forerunner to 'Late Junction'. I think John Peel used to play it as well.

Subject: RE: The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4
From: Vic Smith
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 12:47 PM

Don't miss this superb programme. Click below to hear it -

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03phpfw

Subject: RE: The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 01:51 PM

I just looked up Night Ride
and found it was in the 1960s, not the 1970s, and John Peel was one of the presenters, but the one I remember was John Curle - I loved his voice, whatever he was saying.

Subject: RE: The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4
From: GUEST,oldtimer
Date: 14 Jan 14 - 03:49 PM

AndyIrvine & Mozaik get fairly close to that sound , check out utube

Subject: RE: The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 15 Jan 14 - 04:26 AM

The band are not doing as much now - they are of that age. We were disappointed not to hear them when we were in Budapest last year - but we managed to buy some CDs. I shall look forward to hearing the radio programme as a second best.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: The story of Muzsikas - BBC Radio 4
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 15 Jan 14 - 06:03 AM

Their website gives quite a number of gigs, but mainly in Budapest, including children's dance house events. Let's hope they can be encouraged to come over to the UK...
Derek