Romanian Music

Romania is in the South Eastern region of Europe. It is bordered by Hungary and Serbia on the west, Moldova and Ukraine lies in the northeast and to the south is Bulgaria.
All the bordering counties have influenced Romania in a great way and this is visible in the music of the country. Although the country consists of 90% ethnic Romanians the remaining 10% are a mix of Hungarians, Germans and Roma (Gypsy), which have given birth to a multicultural Romania.
Romanian music has folk music, which has gained popularity all over the world while the modern music comprises of pop, hip-hop, rock and roll and heavy metal.
The most well known form of music is Doina, which is often melancholic. Other styles include bocet i.e. lamenting, cand ciobanu si-a pierdut oile i.e. sorrowful songs of the shepherd losing his sheep and cantec batransec i.e. songs for the elders in the community.
The music varies from region to region in Romania as the instruments used, widely differ. In Banat, the violin is the most common instrument in folk music. The targot that is the saxophone is also used in the music. Efta Botoca is the famous violinist from Banat.
Bucovina is the province where remote instruments are used like the tilinca and tecobnza, pipes are usually played alongside the cobza. Today there are violins and instruments in brass that have been imported.
Using duo violins is a tradition in the music played in Crisana. While in Dobrogea there is a mix in music due to the mix population of the Turks, Tartars and the Bulgarians. Violin and drums are the instruments used in Maramures. The saxophone, targot and the accordian are recent annexure. While in Oas a shrill sound from the violin is marked in music. The singing here too is different as the voices are shrill with melodies that are archaic.
In Maramures the drum, guitar and the violin is used to create a musical band. Fiddlers are also included. The Maramuzical music festival was held in the 1990s to attract the attention of people towards the indigenous style of music in that area.
Among all the regions Transylvania is the area that is known for its peculiar music. Due to the inhabitants of Romanians, Hungarians, Germans, Szeklers, Slovaks, Serbs and Roma gypsies it has been historically linked to South Eastern Europe.
The instruments used here are mainly violin, double bass and viola, the cimbalom is sometimes attached to it. A variety of songs are based on the music from these instruments including some wedding songs.
Among all the ethnic religions in Transylvania the Hungarians are known for their brilliant songs. They are famous for the hajnali and legenyes i.e. the young men’s dance. The songs sound different as they use a primitive musical instrument called the utogardon known as the beaten cello. It is carved crudely from solid black wood and has 4 strings to it all set to the D chord. A stout stick is used to play the instrument.
But even in modern songs there are hints of traditional music and lyrics. Hence the music of Romania has come a full circle.