Rumanian Songs & Dances / Various

In his introduction to Rumanian Songs and Dances, noted folklorist A. L. Lloyd writes: "This record introduces what is perhaps the most remarkably complete folk music tradition in Europe-the folk music of Rumania." One traditional instrument heard on the album is the tulnic, a Transylvanian alphorn made of a fir tree that can reach up to nine feet in length. Also included are examples of Romanian musical forms such as the doina, a "highly ornamented, freely-improvised melody" that was studied extensively by Bela Bartok. at times, an ordinary pear-leaf pressed tightly between one's lips creates melody, as in "Leaf Doina." Liner notes include descriptions of each track, Romanian culture, and featured instruments, as well as photographs of some of the musicians and instruments.