The Art of the Cimbalom

This album of cimbalom virtuosity comes from Alexander Fedoriouk, a Ukranian master from the newer generation. He's studied under Kálmán Balogh and Toni Iordache as well, earning credibility in musical forms and techniques from the Hungarian and Romanian Roms. As with any cimbalom player worth hearing, Fedoriouk has speed that can just barely be comprehended when he gets onto a major run of arpeggios. Musically, he covers much of the same ground as any number of other albums featuring the cimbalom (such as those by Balogh, notably). Beyond this, though, he provides an outlet for a little bit of new direction on top of the old traditional forms. The cimbalom takes the forefront throughout most of the album rather than the usual focus of attention, the violin. The violins still feature heavily, but this being an album of cimbalom music, it's understandable that the latter would take the forefront. Give the album a listen for the virtuosity of Fedoriouk, but also look into other gypsy ensembles for a fuller picture of the genre.