Viet Nam: Hát Chèo - Traditional Folk Theatre

Various Artists

Hát chèo is a form of popular musical theatre dating back to the 11th century. Appreciated especially in the northern part of the country, the historical plays and social satires portray village characters such as farmers, herdsmen, craftsmen, and landowners. In addition, the singers also play the roles of clowns, drunks, and madwomen, criticizing and making fun of the village authorities in their performances. The traditional hát chèo musical ensemble consists of two-string fiddles, flute, and drums while modern re-creations use more instruments.

This recording dates from the 1970s and includes the performances of several acknowledged hát chèo masters. The album was annotated by Vietnamese musicologist Trần Văn Khê.

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Lao Say

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This album is part of the UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music. More than 125 albums are being released by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings to make the series publicly available, including a dozen never-released albums of musical traditions from around the globe.

Track Listing

101	Thi Nhip; Vo Nuoc (Prologue)	Hông Vân & Thanh Hoài	4:16
102	Noi Su Ghe Râu; Noi Ke (Declamation)	Bui Trong Dan	4:06
103	Sap Cô Phong (Happy song in ancient style)	Bac Phâm	2:28
104	Sap Qua Câu (Crossing the bridge: happy song)	Bac Nam Ngu	4:32
105	Duong Truong Tai Luong (In the expectation: sad song)	Bac Minh Ly	5:40
106	Hat Van Câm (Sad song)	Bac Phâm	2:48
107	Sa Lêch Bang (Happy song)	Bac Phâm	2:36
108	Bai Phû Thuy (Sorcerer's chant)	Bac Nam Ngu, Bac Phâm	7:02
109	Noi Lêch; Câm Gia (Declamation: song)	n/a	5:58
110	Ke Hanh; Hat Ru Ke (Declamation: song)	Bac Minh Ly	4:46
111	Lâo Say (Old drunkard's song)	Manh Tuân	2:03
112	Hê Môi (Song of clown with a torch)	Bac Nam Ngu	3:45