In the Romanian folk music
heritage, the repertory of shepherds' occupational music has an important
place. This repertory arose from the ancient pastoral way of life that
began to decline only in the early part of the 19th century.
Pastoral life is reflected
in many Romanian folk creations, and many carols, doinas, songs and dances
relate to shepherds and shepherding.
An independent instrumental
music arose among the shepherds, sometimes determined by the character
of the instruments employed.
The simple subject-matter
is known to all, and the performance consists of developing a sequence
of contrasted melodies, a song of sorrow alternating with lively (dance)
tune. The" programme " is as follows: shepherd is looking for his lost
flock. A sad song describes his feelings. Suddenly it seems to him that
he sees his sheep in the distance.
To describe the shepherd'
s grief he chose a doina, which he performs according to the atmosphere
of the "libretto". The last dance, which the shepherds dance at night,
in order that they may not go to sleep and lose their flock, is " Banul
Maracine" (one of the old Romanian dance melodies). |
