1) Lorincrévi emlékek (Memories from Lorincréve) Every band has its own roots, its own beginnings. These tunes from Lorincreve are among the first that Életfa learned as a part of its repertoire in the late 1980’s. Memories of the Toledoi Találkozó (Dance Gathering in Toledo, Ohio) in 1990 and the first Életfa recording of the same year are awakened by these beautiful melodies. Lorincréve, a town in southern-central Transylvania, is host to a slew of seldom heard songs, such as the ones the still-actively-performing founding members of Életfa play here in remembrance of those old days, well over a decade ago. 2) Magyarnemegyei muszika (Music from Magyarnemegye) These dynamic tunes originate from Magyarnemegye, a village in northern Transylvania. 3) Diófa (Walnut Tree) This arrangement features a beautiful melody coupled with sad lyrics from the villages of Mezoség, located in central Transylvania. 4) Széki ballada (Ballad from Szék) Szék, a village in Mezoség, offers a multitude of tearful songs, such as this one performed by Nati. 5) Marosszéki dalok (Tunes from Marosszék) Marosszék, a region within the Székelyföld (Land of the Secklers) in eastern Transylvania, is home to these beautiful melodies, particularly the rare, flowing “forgatós” (turning dance) tunes featured in the middle of this arrangement. 6) Mérai cigánycsárdás (Gypsy Csárdás from Méra) The “national dance” of the Hungarian people is called the “csárdás.” The csárdás tunes heard here were collected from the repertoire of the late Ferenc “Árus” Berki of Méra, a village in the Kalotaszeg region of western Transylvania. 7) Gyimesi kerekes és magyaros (Round and “Hungarian” dance from Gyimes) The Gyimes valley is located in the Carpathian Mountains and is inhabited by the Csángó people, who have been living in that valley for ages. Életfa is joined by Melanie Kent, a good friend and “üto gardon” (percussive cello) player who plays with the group often. 8) Cserkész Csokor (Songs of the Hungarian Scouts) This arrangement is dedicated to the Hungarian Scouts movement in which many Hungarians participate worldwide. Életfa has been fortunate enough to take part in the activities of the Scouts by playing at various functions and performances. Életfa will always have an audience as long as the Hungarian Scouts remain in existence – hopefully forever. 9) Erdo (Forest) This song, from the village of Szék, introduces the voices of the women of the Csurdöngölo Folk Dance Ensemble of New Brunswick, New Jersey, which is home to many Hungarian institutions. Életfa and Csurdöngölo perform together often in New Brunswick and beyond. Singers: Edith Csatorday Zsuzsanna Tass Katalin Csécsi Andrea Vajtay Chilla Gáspár Ildikó Varga Kinga Horváth Ágnes Vigh Ildikó Magyar Ildikó Vigh 10) Calusari The “calusari” dancers of Southern Romania usher in the summer season, attempting to scare away evil spirits. Their fierce music features the cimbalom, an instrument which is related to the hammered dulcimer. Életfa is joined by virtuoso cimbalom player Alexander Fedoriouk, originally from Ukraine, who has appeared with Életfa and many other bands, including those playing Klezmer, Romanian, modern, jazz and classical music. This arrangement initially appeared on the “Tiszta Szívvel” album of the Csík Band, which is led by Jani Csík. 11) Árpádhoni szüreti mulatság (Harvest Celebration in Arpadhon) Árpádhon, a town located in present day Albany, Louisiana, is a Hungarian Settlement which dates back to 1896. The inhabitants of Árpádhon are very proud of their Hungarian heritage, which they celebrate during the first weekend of every October. Their celebration is highlighted by the community members’ performance of the traditional Harvest Dance, a choreographed collection of dances celebrating the fine strawberry wine still harvested in Árpádhon. The arrangement heard here features tunes from the Harvest Dance coupled with “Sudár magas,” a popular Hungarian tune taught to us by Helen Nyeki, our talented and dear friend from Árpádhon. 12) Mezokölpényi dalok (Tunes from Mezokölpény) These melodies from Mezokölpény, situated at the border of the Mezoség and Székelyföld regions of Transylvania, are taken from the repertoire of Viktor Szabó, the well-known violinist from that village. 13) Nem úgy van most mint volt régen (It’s not like it used to be) Életfa is once again joined by the women of the Csurdöngölo Folk Dance Ensemble in this arrangement of popular dance tunes from the villages of Mezoség. 14) Mahala The “Mahala” is a dance of Turkish origin quite popular in Romania. The selection heard here is inspired by the members of the Szászcsávás Band, who toured the United States during the summer of 1998. Joining Életfa are Miklós Újvári, originally from Kolozsvár, Transylvania, an excellent guitarist who formerly played with various gypsy musicians of Kalotaszeg (including violinist Fodor Sándor “Neti”), and Béla Garay, originally from Budapest, one of the most well-respected bass players from Hungary in the gypsy music genre. 15) Kalotaszegi búcsúzás (Farewell from Kalotaszeg) Életfa bids farewell with this piece from Kalotaszeg, which begins with a beautiful Hajnali (Song at Dawn), sung by the villagers at the end of a celebration to welcome the coming of dawn, and ending with the fiery Szapora (Fast Csardas).