April 23, 2009

Kálmán Balogh and the Gypsy Cimbalom Band

The Smithsonian Associates presented a memorable concert by the Kálmán Balogh and the Gypsy Cimbalom Band  in the National Museum of the American Indian on Saturday, April 18.Performing Art Program Manager Brigitte Blachere greeted the audience on behalf of Smithsonian Associates. Zoltán Fehér, the Hungarian Embassy's Press and Media Attaché, opened the event with some welcoming words and a short presentation of the Band.
 

Brigitte Blachere, Performing Art Program Manager from Smithsonian Associates and  Zoltán Fehér, Press and Media Attaché, opening the concert.

Kálmán Balogh -who is an exceptional musician coming from a famous Gypsy musical dynasty- is considered to be one of the greatest virtuosos of the "cimbalom", which is a concert hammer dulcimer.

With his band, they combine classical, jazz and folk music with traditional tunes, transformed into artful, exciting renditions of modern dance music.

Hungary is the only country in the world that has offered advanced music degrees in cimbalom study.

Although their 5-week-long North American concert tour this year is coming to an end, The Kálmán Balogh Gypsy Cimbalom Band is planning to return to the United States in January 2010.

The musicians while playing famous Gypsy music.