Croatia: Traditional Music of Today

Croatia’s traditional music of today is the focus of this 1988 UNESCO release.In the liner notes, Svanibor Pettan, Secretary General of the International Council for Traditional Music, sheds light on the Croatian tradition’s contemporary evolution. One pair of recordings illustrates the stylistic changes that have occurred in a single place over time: two generations of performers from the same village sing in different styles (tracks 17–18). Another pair of recordings compares versions of the same song performed in two different places (23–24). A guslar, who traditionally invokes the exploits of historic (or mythic) heroes, here exhorts listeners to act on a contemporary problem, Croatia’s low birth rate. A traditional tune is arranged by professionals, and a new composition is based on traditional patterns. Twenty-six recordings from various musical regions and cultural communities, from city and village, explore not only the rich variety of Croatia’s traditional music but the dynamism of tradition itself.

Track Listing

101	Desinecki Drmeš (Drmeš from Desinec) n/a	01:17
102	Tararajcica Matej Krstinic, Josip Maricic	01:16
103	Polka Ivan Radic, Ivan Sindicic	01:11
104	Oj, Lika Goji Konja I Junaka (The Country Of Lika Raises Heroes and Horses) n/a	01:36
105	Pivaj, Seko / Gospe Sinjska (Sing, Sister / Madonna of Sinj) n/a	02:01
106	Rodi, Majki, Jedno Dijete Vise (O, Mother, Give Me Birth To One More Child) Mile Krajina	04:56
107	Gospin Plac (Madonna's Weeping) Ivo Grigicevic, Tonci Rubinic	04:54
108	Kvadrilja (Quadrille) n/a	02:16
109	Dobar Vecer, Moja Draga (Good Evening, My Sweetheart) Osjak	03:41
110	Grozdana Polka Josip Poljancic	02:05
111	Dobar Vecer, Dobri Ljudi (Good Evening To You, Good People) n/a	02:09
112	Kolo Iz Drenovaca (Kolo from Drenovaci) Josip Ivakic	02:01
113	Tanac n/a	02:20
114	Drmeš Pavo Spoljaric	02:44
115	Ptica Vuga (The Oriole) Marija Tuksar	03:30
116	Janica Je Proso Žela (Janica Reaped The Millet) n/a	01:07
117	Mravac Muvu Isprosio (An Ant Proposed to a Fly) n/a	02:20
118	Sedam Zvijezdi (Seven Stars) n/a	02:27
119	Cardaš n/a	01:59
120	Kolo Iz Duboševice (Kolo from Duboševica) Vlado Kolijesar	02:19
121	Ne Dirajte Mi Ravnicu (Do Not Touch My Plain) Zlatni dukati	04:06
122	Balun-Mantinjada Istranova Ensemble	05:03
123	Potpuhnul Je Tihi Vetar (Light Wind Has Blown) Milena Bozac, Ivan Bozac	03:46
124	Popuhnul Je Tihi Vjetar (A Gentle Wind Has Blown) Josip Sigur, Mato Maglic	01:45
125	Kraj Kapele Svete Ane (Next To The St. Anne's Chapel) Kraljevi ulice	04:17
126	Samoborci Piju Vino Z Lonci / Turopoljski Drmeš (The Inhabitants Of Samobor Drink Wine From Buckets) Prestige Ensemble	02:26