Taraf de Haidouks Revels in Its Charisma and Virtuosity

About 30 seconds into the Taraf de Haidouks’ first number at Marsee Auditorium on Saturday, the word that kept coming to mind was “Wow!” Starting at a tempo that would have locked up the fingers of lesser musicians, the ensemble never let up, often moving into even more rapid tempos.

Although the ensemble has retained a firm connection with its Romanian roots, Taraf de Haidouks (“Band of Brigands”) has been a highly visible Gypsy ensembles since the early ‘90s. And the charismatic qualities of its performance were a convincing demonstration of its appeal.

The music was a mixture of traditional ballads, complex Baltic dance rhythms and melismatic vocalizing. Despite the high-flying qualities of the improvised passages, however, the music was actually delivered in structured ensemble fashion. But this in no way diminished the spontaneity of the music or the virtuosity of the playing.

Flutist Gheorghe Falcaru was astonishing, ripping off lines that seemed beyond the capabilities of the instrument. Cymbalum player Turturica Cristinel moved his mallets with blazing speed throughout the performance, and violinist Anghel Gheorghe delivered with the velocity and the presence of a classical virtuoso.

Did it matter that the rhythms were sometimes odd, that the language of the songs--performed by a delightful trio of elderly men who added little dance steps to their offerings--was unfamiliar to most in the audience? Not a bit. Taraf de Haidouks is that best of all musical ensembles--one that transcends language and style in favor of sheer creative expression.