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George Udila

'Nunta, The Gypsy Wedding'

(EDC318)

Musicians:
Gheorghe Lambru, Neluta Neagu, Vasile Nasturica, Neluta Neagu, Valentina Borcea - vocals
George Udila - clarinet
Mariana Borcea -clarinet
Vasile Nasturica - violin
Fulgerica -accordion
Leonard Iordache - cymbalom
Ghita Coada - double bass

'The wedding, this unique moment of the family’s life, beyond its sacred signification (the most of the Romanies are orthodox), represents, for the Romanies a powerful emotional event; the customs and the tradition, with a great mark of pride, confer it a peculiar picturesque pomp.

The tradition says that the young engaged must show to the people, to the community that they have a great respect toward their parents, their godfathers and to all their family; they must give them gifts, proving a good behaviour and their responsibility when they are founding a family.

The series of moments preceding the wedding in fact are: the visit of the bridegroom to the girl’s parents; the visit of the girl’s parents to the groom's parents; the choice of the godfathers and of the gift for the engaged; the choice of the venue, the persons to be invited and, not at all the least, the marriage portion each of the young men will bring.

The gift of the godfathers must be the most consistent and expensive; the other invited people are giving more and more money (usually) and other presents for the young family, as a sign of love but also of self-pride.

The dressing of the bride, her dressing up is made by women lead by the godmother. The bridegroom is assisted by men watched over by the godfather. The fiddlers are present and begin to play in the morning at the godfathers house (when they are dressing), then at the bride and at the groom's; they all then walk to the church, where the invited guests are present. After the religious service, all the wedding guests are going to the place of the party and then begins in fact the wedding party.

The fiddler’s music band or the orchestra dedicates traditional pieces (as you will find them on this CD) to the bridegroom, to the bride, to the godfathers, to the  parents (of the young married), to the young girls, to the young lads, to the old women and men, to the bachelors, to the fiddlers as well as to all who order one wedding tune.

“Geamparaua” or the “dance of the hen” is especially addressed to the godfather, who buys the “hen of opulence” which is danced on an adorned tray, by women. There are also sad songs, mourning songs meaning the sadness of the young girls parents especially — their regret and concern for the two young people who are leaving their home and fund their own family.

The Romanies don’t steal the bride, such a gesture produces not only disorder and confusion, but also jealousy and is opposite to the conservative but picturesque traditions of the Romanies. Towards the morning, in front of all the assembled, the bride is ,,untied”: her veil is replaced by a beautiful flowered head kerchief of the best quality.

The “gift” is gathered; the party is continuing till the bride and the bridegroom — who are already gone in a place very well guarded by the old women, are coming back after their first night together. The son-in-law will be very proud and glad, as well as his parents and those of the bride, when the old women will come with the prove (the nuptial bed sheet) of the bride’s virginity.

The party is going on till all the wedding guests are stirred that it is hard to go home, glad and happy. We can only hear a lonely violin of a fiddler who, dizzy and tired, plays for himself the tune “In the morning, after wedding”.'
Extract from CD notes.

GBP 8.97

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George Udila

'Nunta, The Gypsy Wedding'

(EDC318)

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Tracks


1. Gatitul Miresei - Dressing Up The Bride (5'42")
+788
2. Mama Da-Mi Vin Sa Beau - Give Me Some Wine To Drink (9'04")
3. Hora Soacrelor - Mother-In-Law's Hora (2'18")
4. Uite, Mama, Cade-O Stea - Look Ma, A Falling Star (5'55")
5. Geamparaua (Jocul Gainii) - Lively Romanian Folk Tune (2'22")
+788
6. Ai Grija, Fata, De Mine - Take Care Of Me, Lass (5'21")
7. Hora Flacailor - Lad's Hora (2'34")
8. Toti Tiganii Canta - All Gypsies Sing (6'47")
9. Hora Nasilor - Parent's Hora (4'25")+788
10. Am O Nevasta Faloasa - Proud Wife Of Mine (3'08")+788
11. Legatul Miresei - Bride's Ritual (9'51")
12. Hora De Dupa Dar - Hora After Wedding Gift (4'16")

Duration (62'22")