Music of Southeastern Europe

The music of Southeastern Europe or Balkan music is a type of music distinct from others in Europe. This is mainly because it was influenced by traditional music of Southeastern European ethnic groups and mutual music influences of these ethnic groups in the period of the Ottoman Empire. The music is characterised by complex rhythm.

The music of the Slavic countries of Southeastern Europe is significantly different from the music of Eastern Europe, which includes the Slavic states of the former USSR. The latter was much more influenced by the common eastern Slavic culture, notably by Kievan Rus and more recently the USSR.

Neighboring musical influences

Byzantine medieval music

Main articles: Byzantine music

Byzantine (Greek: Βυζαντινή Μουσική), traditional music is associated with the medieval sacred chant of Christian Churches following the Constantinopolitan rite. Its modal system is based on the ancient Greek models. The development of large scale hymnographic forms begins in the fifth century with the rise of the kontakion, a long and elaborate metrical sermon, which finds its acme in the work of St. Romanos the Melodos (sixth century). Heirmoi in syllabic style are gathered in the Heirmologion, a bulky volume which first appeared in the middle of the tenth century and contains over a thousand model troparia arranged into an oktoechos (the eight-mode musical system) and the whole system of Byzantine music which is closely related to the ancient Greek system.

Greek music

Main articles: Greek music

Greek folk music includes Nisiotika, Laiko, Rebetiko. Greek music developed around the Balkans as a synthesis of elements of the music of the various areas of the Greek mainland and the Greek islands, with Greek Orthodox ecclesiastical chant, and a reference to music of Crete and Byzantine music. The music of the Aegean Islands, are known for Nisiótika songs; Greek characteristics vary widely. Crete has a well known folk dance tradition; it includes swift dances like pentozalis. Most of the Nisiótika songs are accompanied by Greek musical instruments like: lira, clarinet, guitar and violin. Greek folk dances include Kalamatianos, Syrtos and Sousta.

Ottoman music

Main articles: Ottoman music

Dimitrie Cantemir was a composer of Ottoman music. any musical instruments were introduced to the Balkans during the time of Ottoman control, but many Ottoman instruments were borrowed by the locals.

"Balkan" is a Turkish word which means sharp mountains. As this the influence of Mehter and Turkish rhythms and melodies can be seen in Balkan Music. In the 19th century in imitation of the Turkish military bands which replaced the Mehterhane formations of Janissary Turks beginning in 1828. Apparently, as in Turkey, they dethroned the ancient traditional oboe (zurna, zurla, or mizmar) and double-membraned drum ensembles.

Pre-modern Balkan music

Traditional Serbian music

The medieval era in Serbia traditional music. During the Nemanjic dynasty, musicians played an important role in the royal court, and were known as sviralnici, glumci and praskavnici. Other rulers known for the musical patronage included Stefan Dušan, Stefan Lazarević, and Đurađ Branković. Medieval musical instruments included horns, trumpets, lutes, psalteries, drums and cymbals. Traditional folk instruments include various kinds of bagpipes (Gaida), drums (tapan, dajre), woodwind (diple, zurla, kaval, ocarina), strings (oud, sargija, lyra, tamburitza) and gusle.

Derivatives and offshoots

Progressive Balkan folk

Progressive Balkan folk has seen rise in many western countries, particularly the United States. It has had its greatest success with progressive communities across the country. Younger American generations are discovering the possibilities of this genre and are bringing it to small clubs and festivals across the US.

The upbeat, dramatic tone of the music has also attracted a following in the Tribal Fusion bellydance community. Tribal Fusion does not claim to emulate traditional dances, costume or music styles strictly, but it does draw inspiration from Balkan traditions.

Balkan soul funk

Bay Area, CA band Inspector Gadje plays mainly traditional and contemporary balkan dance tunes, but because of the varied background of its musicians, elements of jazz and experimental music can be heard.

Brooklyn-based Slavic Soul Party! is a virtuoso ensemble of brass musicians that infuse traditional balkan rhythms and beats with jazz, soul, funk and the energy of dance pop.

Flamenco Balkan Fusion

Another popular exploration has been between Balkan music and other styles around the Mediterran like Flamenco, Jazz and Middle Eastern Music. Vancouver based act Ivan Tucakov and Tambura Rasa explores this style and beyond.

Music per country

• Music of Albania
• Music of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Music of Bulgaria
• Music of Croatia
• Music of Cyprus
• Music of Greece
• Music of Moldova
• Music of Montenegro
• Music of Romania
• Music of Serbia
• Music of the Republic of Macedonia
• Music of Turkey

Notable artists

 Albania

Aleksandër Peçi Avni Mula Tish Daia Simon Gjoni Tonin Harapi Akil Mark Koci Feim Ibrahimi Prenkë Jakova Parashqevi Simaku

Palokë Kurti Aleksandër Peçi Vasil Tole Çesk Zadeja Nikolla Zoraqi David Tukiçi Pirro Çako Lorenc Antoni Vaçe Zela Tefta Tashko-Koço

 Bulgaria

Valya Balkanska Lyubka Rondova Ivo Papazov Theodosii Spassov

Stoyan Yankoulov Elitsa Todorova Lili Ivanova

 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Dino Merlin Edo Mulahalilović Alen Islamović Fuad Backović Dado Džihan Amir Kazić Leo Edin Osmić Elvir Laković Šemsa Suljaković Šerif Konjević Nikola/Amir "Nino" Rešić Kemal Malovčić Seid Memić Asim Brkan Nada Topčagić Eldin Huseinbegović Sanela Sijerčić Alma Čardžić Vukašin Brajić Al' Dino (Aldin Kurić) Adnan Babajić Osman Hadžić

Esad Plavi Lepa Brena Halid Muslimović Haris Džinović Goran Bregović Safet Isović Hanka Paldum Zaim Imamović Hari Mata Hari Tifa Alen Islamović Željko Bebek Halid Bešlić Kemal Monteno Bijelo Dugme Crvena Jabuka Divlje Jagode Maja Sarihodžić Erato (duo) Hamdija Čustović Azra Kolaković Elvidin Krilić

 Croatia

Đorđe Novković Gibonni Oliver Dragojevic Toni Cetinski Prljavo Kazalište Parni Valjak Tonči Huljić Arsen Dedić Gabi Novak Doris Dragović Petar Grašo Severina Vuckovic Danijela Martinovic

Boris Novković Darko Rundek Jura Stublić i Film Neno Belan Jurica Pađen Luka Nižetić Dado Topić Damir Urban Lana Jurcevic Mišo Kovač

 Macedonia

Adrian Gaxha Aleksandar Belov Aleksandar Sarievski Aleksandra Pileva Band "Anastasia" Andrijana Janevska Bobi Andonov Bojana Atanasovska "Bravo Band" Dani Dimitrovska Denis Dimoski Elena Petreska Elena Risteska Elvir Mekić Eva Nedinkovska

Jovan Jovanov Kaliopi Karolina Gočeva Kristina Arnaudova Lambe Alabakoski Martin Vučić Next Time Riste Tevdoski Tamara Todevska Tijana Todevska-Dapčević Toše Proeski Vaska Ilieva Vlado Janevski Vlatko Lozanoski Vrčak

 Greece

Mikis Theodorakis Tolis Voskopoulos Marinella George Dalaras Maria Farantouri Mario Frangoulis Demis Roussos Vicky Moscholiou Nana Mouskouri Argyris Nastopoulos Apostolos Nikolaidis Marika Ninou Anna Vissi Antique (duo) Apostolia Zoi Chryspa Despina Vandi Elli Kokkinou Giorgos Papadopoulos George Michael Loukas Daralas Hrysoula Stefanaki Chronis Aidonidis Peter André Annette Artani Eleftheria Arvanitaki Agnes Baltsa Haris Alexiou Dionysis Makris Kelly Kelekidou Nancy Alexiadi Notis Sfakianakis Katy Garbi Panos Tserpes Marianda Pieridi Konstantinos Christoforou Paschalis Terzis

Maria Callas Panos Kiamos Yianna Terzi Nikos Vertis Giorgos Perris Sakis Rouvas Thanos Petrelis Vasilis Karras Thanos Kalliris Nektaria Karantzi Giorgos Mazonakis Dimitris Mitropanos Vicky Leandros Labis Livieratos Mando Lisa Andreas Marlen Angelidou Lindsay Armaou Kostas Martakis Lia Vissi Peggy Zina Marianna Zorba Theodosia Tsatsou Mariana Efstratiou Elpida Evridiki Aris Christofellis Constantinos Christoforou Cleopatra Natassa Theodoridou Marios Tokas Michalis Rakintzis Antonis Remos Babis Tsertos Prodromos Kathiniotis Stelios Kazantzidis Alex Varkatzas

 Montenegro

Boban Rajović Dado Polumenta Sako Polumenta

Vlado Georgiev Sergej Ćetković Bojan Marović Vlatko Stefanovski

 Romania

Transsylvania Phoenix Mircea Baniciu Viorel Gavrila Marcel Dragomir Adrian Enescu

Horia Moculescu Adrian Romcescu Anton Suteu Marius Teicu Mircea Vintila

 Serbia

Aca Lukas Momčilo Bajagić-Bajaga Belo Platno Bilja Krstić Boban Marković Dobrivoje Topalović Topal Dragan Kojić Keba Dragana Mirković Davor Badrov Đorđe Balašević Félix Lajkó Janika Balázs Jelena Karleuša Lepa Lukić Michael Jackson Vesna Zmijanac Miroslav Ilić Nada Topčagić Predrag Cune Gojković Predrag Živković Tozovac (Folk)

Sanja Ilić Slobodan Trkulja Svetlana Ceca Ražnatović Šaban Bajramović Šaban Šaulić Toma Zdravković Teodulija Vrelo Zvonko Bogdan Željko Joksimović Zdravko Čolić Goran Bregović Saša Matić Dejan Matić Mile Kitić Miloš Bojanić Željko Samardžić Seka Aleksić Nedeljko Bajić Baja Bajaga i Instruktori Silvana Armenulić

 Turkey

Barış Manço Sezen Aksu Sertab Erener Candan Erçetin Ajda Pekkan

Melih Kibar Timur Selçuk

Musical groups elsewhere

• Mostar Sevdah Reunion is a sevdah band from Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
• Gothart
• Corvus Corax
• Beirut
• A Hawk And A Hacksaw

Ciguli

See also

• BALKANOPOLIS (Serbian/Dutch Balkan band with rock and orchestral influences)
• Greek folk music
• Balkan Brass Band
• Mehter
• Klezmer (Eastern European Jewish music)
• Romani music ("Gypsy" music)
• Balkan linguistic union
• Balkan World Music
• Beirut (band) (an American indie folk group inspired by Balkan folk music)
• Shantel

External links

• www.folklyrics.net/balkan.html Traditional Balkan song lyrics