|
|
 The Karol Stoch Band Fire In The Mountains Polish Mountain Fiddle Music Volume 1 / 1928-1929 - (Yazoo) $17.99
Volume I features the music of the Karl Stoch Band. The exceptional Tatra Mountain fiddler's recordings in his adopted country would preserve traditional highlander music for generations to come. His performances have since been cherished, studied and emulated and the extended family he left behind following his death in 1962 is still playing many of the same tunes he recorded 70 years ago. |
 Fire In The Mountains - Polish Mountain Fiddle Music Volume 2 - The Great Highland Bands 17.99
Volume II: The Great Highland Bands features recordings by Stoch, Krzysiak, Jarosz and others in a collection of recordings that feature the great fiddlers of the era. |
| The Tatra Mountains of Poland, just north of Slovakia, is home to a native fiddle style and repertoire, so called gorale ("mountaineer") music. Most of the pieces feature an insistent, almost plodding, downbeat, double stopped rhythm by one or two "seconding" violin and the cello-like basy, with rare references to off beats. All the pieces are for local dance forms and are in 2/4, but with no waltzes, polkas or other dances common in the rest of Poland. A couple of cuts are for listening with semi-rubato vocals. On the instrumental portions the rhythm is regular, but during vocals it often lurches; slowing down and occasionally lengthening a measure or two, seemingly to conform with the phrasing of the lyrics. The singing is high pitched and a bit constricted - typical of mountain music of other cultures; an unaffected calling (almost yelling) style of vocal. Each song is pretty much evenly divided into vocal and instrumental portions, though the melodic relation between the two is often tenuous to my ears. The fiddle plays one or two measure-long jagged motives with repetitions. The playing style is a bit reminiscent of other Eastern and Central European styles, but is much less florid than any gypsy style. Volume One documents the Karol Stoch Band from 1928-29, recorded in America for fellow Polish immigrants. Stoch is the lead violin, and the style leaves plenty of room for variation. Volume Two presents three groups (including Stoch) from the late 1920's, with a selection of cuts from the early 1950's. The notes in both volumes are authoritative, allowing gorale rookies to follow the proceedings. If you want to start with one CD, I would advise Volume Two for the variety of performers. Be the first on your block to learn what shepherds sing about on those lonely vigils for lost sheep. - Stacy Phillips |
|
Please note!
Most CDs have been
imported from Europe or Asia.
They are not all
shrink-wrapped, and I am not
going to con you by wrapping them
here just to make you think they
have been sterilized in America.
We guarantee that the CDs and the
contents are all brand new and in
perfect condition. Whenever I
can, I use recycled shipping
materials. They may not look as
pretty on the outside, but they save
money and keep the trash dumps a
little bit emptier.
|
