wikipedia - sevdalinka
· Feb 25, 2006, 1:07 AM
#20099
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sevdalinka is a traditional genre of folk music originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina. In many cases, sevdalinka is called simply sevdah.
Sevdalinka is the national music of Bosniaks, although it is popular across the former Yugoslav region, especially in Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia. Its roots reach back to the age of Ottoman Empire rule on the Balkan peninsula, but the actual composers of many sevdalinkas are unknown.
In musical sense, sevdalinka is charactericized by a slow or moderate tempo and rich harmony, leaving a melancholic feeling with the listener. Sevdalinka songs are very elaborate, emotionally charged and are traditionally sung with passion and fervor. The singer will often impose the rhythm and tempo of the song, both of which can vary throughout the song. It is usually sung with a single male vocal, although female vocals are not uncommon. Usually, it is played by a small orchestra containing accordion (the most prominent), violin, nylon-string guitars and/or other string instruments (occasionally), flute or clarinet (occasionally), upright bass, snare drum, although in the past traditional instruments such as the saz were used as well. In between the verses, an accordion or violin solo can almost always be heard. Its lyrics are ballads, usually devoted to falling in love or to unfortunate love -- the origin of the name is a Turkish word sevdah meaning "passion" or "lovesickness".
Sevdalinka is a traditional genre of folk music originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina. In many cases, sevdalinka is called simply sevdah.
Sevdalinka is the national music of Bosniaks, although it is popular across the former Yugoslav region, especially in Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia. Its roots reach back to the age of Ottoman Empire rule on the Balkan peninsula, but the actual composers of many sevdalinkas are unknown.
In musical sense, sevdalinka is charactericized by a slow or moderate tempo and rich harmony, leaving a melancholic feeling with the listener. Sevdalinka songs are very elaborate, emotionally charged and are traditionally sung with passion and fervor. The singer will often impose the rhythm and tempo of the song, both of which can vary throughout the song. It is usually sung with a single male vocal, although female vocals are not uncommon. Usually, it is played by a small orchestra containing accordion (the most prominent), violin, nylon-string guitars and/or other string instruments (occasionally), flute or clarinet (occasionally), upright bass, snare drum, although in the past traditional instruments such as the saz were used as well. In between the verses, an accordion or violin solo can almost always be heard. Its lyrics are ballads, usually devoted to falling in love or to unfortunate love -- the origin of the name is a Turkish word sevdah meaning "passion" or "lovesickness".