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). |
