Having played in various ensembles Kalman Balogh has proved to be an excellent and highly versatile cimbalom player. The Cimbalogh Trio, which is about to embark on an American tour, is unique among Balogh’s ensembles in that it is made up of only three musicians giving each artist and instrument equal importance. Violinist Robert Lakatos, who is equally brilliant on the viola, is the director of the ever popular ’Rev Ensemble’ which derives its name from Revkomarom, Lakatos’ home town. He often takes the lead in the Trio. Csaba Novak on the contrabass, who is also involved in several other ensembles, is as highly regarded in world music as in authentic folk music. He is a sought after musician in both instrumental and vocal ensembles.

The CimbaloghTrio plays as playful music as its name suggests – the name being composed of Balogh’s surname and the word ’cimbalom’. First they sweep across the Carpathian Basin and give a taste of the traditional folk music of all of its major regions. Their passionate ’szatmari’ is an invitation to dance while their ’klezmer’ later gives a glimps of the region’s rich and colourful history. This leads to a sensational finale melting traditional folk into boogie-woogie. Cimbalogh Trio’s performance is proof of the talent and exceptional virtuosity of its musicians as well as their self-irony and brilliant sense of humour.

(Kornel Zipernovszky’s critique translated by Andrea Repassy)

 

 

 

 

The Trio includes  excellent  musicians  who have worked  with Balogh extensively. Robert Lakatos, a viola and violin player  from Slovakia is steeped  in classical music training and played with important classical orchestras, but always gravitated  toward folk and world music.  He plays in several groups ranging from classical to folk and jazz genres. Robert’s band, the RÉV, has become  a popular band in Hungary and Slovakia. Bassist  Csaba Novák is one of the most  versatile bass players in Hungary, familiar with gypsy style, klezmer, folk music, jazz and world music.

 

 

 

 

 

Kálmán Balogh Cimbalom Trio is the dynamic merging of music from old and new worlds. Balogh continues  a fabled European musical tradition harking back to the collaboration of masters like gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist  Stephane Grapelli, connecting ancient folk music traditions of central and Eastern Europe with the  chord progressions and swinging rhytm of jazz.  Balogh’s cimbalom becomes a new and compelling voice centering the Trio, wich is enhanced  by acoustic violin/viola and acoustic bass. Similarities  in jazz and traditional folk music, such as improvisation and a kaleidoscope of emotional expressions, are immediately evident.

 

 

 

Melodies  polished  in European villages  for centuries  are interpreted  with great respect and understanding by the Trio enabling  present  day music lovers to experience  the emotions and beauty inherent  in the music  of our ancestors.

 

 

 

Hungarian cimbalom king brings gypsy joy and jazz fervor to New Orleans, on Monday, March 10. 2014.

The world-touring, Hungarian cimbalom virtuoso plays an instrument that shares roots with the zither and the hammered dulcimer. Whether plucked or struck, the cimbalom’s sound is a key element of gypsy folk music from Eastern Europe.
The instrument inspired Bartók, Liszt and other classical composers, and it has encouraged performers like Balogh to expand its range with music that bows to swing-era jazz.
Balogh brings his regular trio to New Orleans: bassist Csaba Novák, and Robert Lakatos, who doubles on violin and viola.
Gypsy music and jazz come together at a dance concert that centers on the virtuosic cimbalom work of Kalman Balogh.