The Best Romanian Folk Music to Listen to Right Now

From old classics to contemporary anthems, here’s a list of the best Romanian folk music to listen to right now.

The history of Romanian folk music

Romanian folk music is the traditional music of Romania. Folk songs are typically divided into two categories based on their genre: lăutarească (of the lăutar, or fiddler) and doina. Lăutarească includes Romanian ballads, as well as other minor genres such as popular dances, neologues, and diamond songs. Doina is a type of lyric song characterized by its slow rhythm and highly sentimental tone. Another important genre of Romanian folk music is cântece de petrecere (party songs), which are generally fast-paced and often include funny lyrics.

Octavian Goga, a Romanian politician and man of letters, was an important figure in the revival of Romanian folk music in the early 20th century. His lyrics reflect rural life and traditions, as well as Austrian and German influences. Goga also collected and transcribed traditional Romanian folk songs, which were recorded onto 78 rpm records and distributed throughout Romania.

Today, Romanian folk music continues to be performed by both amateur and professional musicians. There are several folk music festivals held in Romania each year, including the International Folklore Festival in Brașov and the Drăgaica Golden Stag Festival in Sibiu.

The most popular Romanian folk songs

If you’re looking for the best Romanian folk music to listen to right now, you’ve come to the right place. Romania has a rich tradition of folk music, and there are a variety of songs that are popular among both Romanians and foreigners alike. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular Romanian folk songs, so you can start listening and enjoying this wonderful genre of music today.

1. “Doina de Jale” – This is a sad folk song that is often sung by Romanians who are in mourning. The lyrics tell the story of a man who is heartbroken after losing his love.
2. “Orientul Îndepărtat” – This beautiful song is about a Romanian girl who is longing for her home in the East (Orient). It’s believed to be one of the oldest surviving Romanian folk songs, and it’s still popular among listeners today.
3. “Mioriţa” – This is another old Romanian folk song that tells the story of three shepherds who are discussing what will happen when they die. “Mioriţa” is considered to be one of Romania’s national poems, and it has been translated into many languages over the years.
4. “La Multi Ani!” – This cheerful folk song is sung on special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. “La Multi Ani!” means “Happy Birthday!” in Romanian, and it’s sure to put a smile on your face when you hear it.
5. “Hora Unirii” – This song was composed in 1848 to celebrate the union of Wallachia and Moldavia ( two regions in present-day Romania). It quickly became popular among Romanians, and it continues to be one of the country’s most iconic folk songs.

The best Romanian folk musicians

The best Romanian folk musicians use a variety of instruments to create their unique sound. These include the zither, viola, flute, and double bass. The music is often fast-paced and lively, with a strong rhythm that is perfect for dancing.

If you want to experience the best of Romanian folk music, there are some great musicians to check out. Below are just a few of the top Romanian folk musicians that you should listen to.

The best Romanian folk music albums

There are many different types of Romanian folk music, and it can be difficult to know where to start if you’re new to the genre. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of the best Romanian folk music albums that you can listen to right now.

1. “Nunta in Transilvania” by Taraf de Haidouks
2. “Honorary Roots” by Maria Tanase
3. “Transylvanian Voices” by Gheorghe Zamfir
4. “The Golden Age of Romanian Folk Music” by various artists
5. “The Best of Romanian Folk Music, Vol. 1” by various artists