Váltás magyar nyelvre

The first time I heard her sing live, she sang a széki lassú at a concert a few years ago. Nothing special happened – it’s just that ’a knife stood still in midair’. A bit of searching will reveal that already in 1998 she started to appear on recordings named:  ’Táncháztalálkozó’, ’Új Élő népzene’, ’Táncház-Népzene’; with songs from Hungarian Moldavia, the village of Szék and the Gyimes and Mezőség regions of Transylvania. Listening to the recordings from that time, one is struck by the natural strength of her voice and the intimate beauty of her performance style. And now finally, thanks to the Hungarian Heritage House and Etnofon Records, her own first CD entitled ’Mondanék én valamit’ [’I have something to say’] is ready for release. I was surprised that they asked me to be musical director of this recording . After all, she’s a singer, and what does that have to do with me?! Of course I have absolutely no regrets. Working together with her has been a great pleasure; such a well-prepared, decisive and knowledgeable performer is a rarity, especially one who is at the same time responsive to ideas from an ’outside ear’ (which I hope didn’t cause too much harm). If I must chose a motto and recommend her record to someone, then perhaps I would quote Károly Kós: „for those who are Hungarian [or who think of themselves as Hungarian] and who like [understand or feel] beauty in Hungarian”. Dear listeners, now its your turn. Pay close attention to what Nóri has to’say’, because it’s worth it. You can trust me.

Albert Mohácsy

Tracklist:

1. My eyes are cying – Magyarszovát [Suatu] (Mezõség, Transylvania)

2. Dream – Somogy County, Hungary

3. Vilmos Mátyus’ tunes – Szováta [Sovata] (Székelyföld, Transylvania)

4. I can hardly live – Gyimes [Ghimes] Transylvania

5. No one comes to me - Szék [Sic] (Mezõség, Transylvania)

6. A true love - Nyíradony ( Hungarian plain)

7. In my baby’s arms  - Kárásztelek [Carastelec] (Szilágyság, Transylvania)

8. At my father’s gate – Hungarian Moldavia

9. Sándor Farkas’ Ballad - Magyarózd [Ozd] (Maros County, Transylvania.)

10. There are other boys - Körösfõ [Izvoru Crişului] (Kalotaszeg, Transylvania)

Közremûködnek / with:
Matokabinde Band: (1,5,7) Mesics György: hegedû/violin, Erdei Attila: brácsa/viola, Daniss András: bõgõ/double bass, with guest: Soós András: hegedû/violin (1,7)

Szárma Tambura Band: (2 ) Kiss Tamás : prímtambura, Diriczi Zoltán: basszprímtambura/ bass-prim tambura, Dohárszky Béla: tamburakontra, Endrõdi Szabolcs :tamburabõgõ/bass tambura, with guest: Barvich Iván – tamburacselló / cello tambura, basszprímtambura/bass-prim tambura

 
Hírős Band:(3,10) Hegedûs Máté: hegedû/violin, Barcza Zsolt: harmonica/accordion, cimbalom/cymbalom (6,9 is/also), Mészáros János: brácsa/viola, Tormási Elek:bõgõ/double bass

Makó Péter : tárogató/tarogato (6), Hámori Péter: furulya/ wooden flute (4), Lázár Zsófia: ütõgardon/hit cello (4), Pásztor Endre: koboz/Moldavian lute (8)

Musical direction: Mohácsy Albert
Sound engineer: Konorót János
Photo: Dormányné Varga Andrea
Cover design: Berán István
Produced by: Etnofon Népzenei Kiadó

English translation: Sue Foy

Recorded in the Ethnic Studio at the Hungarian Heritage House in Budapest in 2005 and 2006.

I would like to thank the Hungarian Heritage House for awarding me a grant in 2005 for 50 hours of studio time.

I would also like to thank my family, my musician friends and all of those who have helped with making this record.

Nóri Kovács