Hungarian dancers showcase their culture

Review Journal, January 20, 2007.

Excitement, vitality, power and charm came together with a varied program of more than a dozen dances performed by the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble at Artemus Ham Hall on Thursday.

The ensemble was established in 1951 to preserve folk dances and national costumes while collecting and playing the authentic folk music indigenous to different parts of the country.

The more than 30 brightly costumed dancers performed to rich folk music by an orchestra that included violins, violas and traditional instruments such as a Hungarian dulcimer and the "hit gardon," a string instrument somewhat resembling a cello.

The first part of the evening seemed somber and the dances repetitious. The dominating presence of the musicians onstage was compelling in the second part of the program.

The haunting sounds of "Dance for Voice and Tarogatno" -- the tarogatno is a medieval wind instrument -- transcended culture and time.

The music -- one moment poignant, the next overflowing with joy -- transformed the entire evening making audience members feel like Hungarians. 

Barbara Hall