Peter Balogh Orchestra is a musical ensemble founded in 2017, founded and artistic director is violinist Peter Balogh Sr. The members of the orchestra are from Slovakia and Hungary, they perform not only in Slovakia, but also in various countries of Europe and Asia. The orchestra’s repertoire includes a wide range of genres, but mainly film music, operetta, jazz, Slovak and Hungarian folklore and so-called evergreens.
The piece titled *Marel o Del, marel* (“God Punishes, He Punishes”) belongs to the *halgató* genre—a traditional style of Romani music characterized by a slow tempo and a melancholic melody. The melody conveys feelings of longing, sadness, and loneliness. The *halgató* is an important part of Romani culture and serves as a profound expression of the Romani soul. This genre is prevalent primarily within Romani communities in Central and Eastern Europe. The author of the recorded piece is not known.
The recording was made on August 16, 2023 in M Arena in Prešov, it is part of the documentation of Roma cimbalom bands within the framework of DICRK activities.
Instruments and cast:
Peter Balogh Sr. – violin, the lead violin
Peter Balogh Jr. – the second violin
Jónás Géze – cimbalom
Bakoš Kálmán – viola
Sarközy Pál – double bass
Recorded: August 16, 2023