Much like a manifesto of things to come in Hungaroton’s cimbalom department, this 1978 record, Márta Fábián‘s first under her own name, offers a glimpse into the fascinating sonorities the instrument gained thanks to contemporary Hungarian composers (see previous post). The sparse, enchanting sounds of the solo cimbalom featured on side A (tr.#1-3) seem like a tabula rasa after ages of folk tunes on flexi-disc postcards. Mostly played pianissimo, side A’s sparse, rarefied music has a remarkable power of evocation, thanks to eerie sonorities and a surreal atmosphere. The chamber music on side B pairs the cimbalom with high pitched instruments like violin, viola, flute and soprano singers. But the hushed, soft sonorities continue the dream-like theme of the first side. A rather impressive achievement considering Márta Fábián was only 22 when she recorded this Cimbalommüvek album.
01 Sándor Szokolay Quattro Lamenti (8:50)
02 Lajos Papp 9 Bagatelles (8:04)
03 Kamilló Lendvay Disposizioni (8:24)
04 Endre Székely Trio (11:48)
05 Miklós Kocsár Kassák-dalok (9:10)
06 László Sáry Quartetto (5:52)
Katalin Szökefalvy-Nagy, voice
Magdolna Tarkó, voice
András Kiss, violin
Tivadar Popa, viola
István Matúz, flute
László Vidovsky, conductor
Total time 52:00
LP released by Hungaroton, Hungary, 1978
See also:
Márta Fábián ‘Contemporary Hungarian Cimbalom Music vol. 2′ >
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Continuo's weblog 
What a nice surprise, thank you again.
Beautiful Continuo…Thanks!!
It sounds as if the music is written for some modular system
An apt description, indeed. Definitely out of this world music, in any case.
Yes, ..yes ofcourse
More Cimbalom! More Hungaraton! Great cover! Thanks so much.
Thank you all for your comments.
Thank you so much for your peerless blog
You’re welcome.
what’s a fantastic blog and what’s a fantastic album, with also the vol 2 !!! my deep respect…
Hi, Bruno. There is a kind of Márta Fábián fan club growing up on this blog, which is just wonderful. Glad you felt inclined to join.