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 was composed by Dr. Nele Karajlić (Serbia), who in 1998 rearranged the older rock song “Ženi se nam Vukota” in a style blending Balkan disco (Balkan brass) with traditional Romani wedding music. The lyrics are in the Romani language, and the song was originally performed by the Romani singer Šaban Bajramović. It serves as the main theme for the 1998 film Black Cat, White Cat, directed by Emir Kusturica. In the version by the Peter Balog Orchestra, the track retains its energetic rhythm and melody, though the brass instruments—which were dominant in the original—have been omitted.
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