Showing posts with label Folk music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Folk music. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Katalin Burns a great hungarian musician and writer/translator

- I met a young talented musician, with a wide horizon. She is a big talent of her field, Katalin please give me a brief introduction of you for my readers:

Katalin: - My name is Katalin Burns and I was born in Budapest, Hungary. I am a musician and a writer/translator.  From an early age, I have been drawn to music and story telling. As a child I took every opportunity to perform, but I turned out to be a very shy teenager, so in my teens I only wanted to express myself in writing. To this day I enjoy writing fiction, I even have a published novel in Hungarian and my short stories regularly come out in literary magazines. In my early twenties I applied for the movie director course at the University of Film and Theatrical Arts in Budapest, and ended up in the top 20 of applicants. Due to lack of motivation and encouragement, I didn't go on to take the final stage of the entrance exam. I was only sure of one thing: that one way or another I wanted to become an artist.

- You have a great profession as singer, how you started it?

Katalin: - For a while, I only played instruments. I felt inspired to do music, but couldn't open up enough to let my voice be heard. So I played flute, violin and various kinds of weird percussion instruments in a friend's band. Later on we provided traditional folk music at dance hall events. We still believe in the mission to present traditional music to our own community. Then, at the end of my twenties I realised I wanted to sing. I had to overcome all the tension and inhibition that had built up in me through the years. This was a very hard job. As I started out late, I had not had the chance to enjoy the protection and guidance of a teacher, a mentor. I had no contacts, no history of competitions, no experience, only the desire to somehow be up there on the stage, with my voice. Then I went to talent shows, where I was typically given special prizes, because the jury appreciated me, but couldn't really place me in a category. My musician friends came with me to these shows and together we presented music from Hungary and Siberia.

- What and who did really inspire you to get into field music?

Katalin: - I was inspired by a lot of bands and soloists. I loved soul music, but the band REM and punk rocker Patti Smith made an even bigger impact on me. My greatest source of inspiration, however, was folk music. First of all Hungarian, then came one by one a lot of others. Being a fiction writer, I was also inspired by contemporary literature. I remember associating a lot of songs with stories or imaginary video clips!
  
- What problems did you face to achieve your career?

Katalin: - Lack of contacts, lack of mentors who would have introduced me to the world of performing arts. I had to work hard to put myself on the map of the music I represent. I was given some awards and gradually the profession began to know my name, but for the Hungarian folk music scene my music was too Eastern. I was influenced by the music of Asia to a great extent and I enjoyed applying some experimental features in my shows. I picked up the basics of Siberian/Mongolian double tone technique. Asian voice techniques have always interested me.

- Who have you worked with?

Katalin: - I have mostly worked with my band Hajna (Gergely Kiss and Gábor Bártfai). I am very fortunate to have some new partners now, such as Balázs Szokolay Dongó, a woodwind/bagpipe virtuoso and Vajk Kobza with whom I share an affection for the music of the Middle East. A large source of inspiration has been my cooperation with Suraj Khan of Lahore and his brother Chand. On my last visit to Pakistan, I also cooperated with Amir Azhar, a creative guitarist, bass player of the Mekaal Hassan band. I occasionally take a path leading West when I join the band Dagda for Scottish music, but I thoroughly enjoy this bit of Western music in my life, singing in the Scottish dialect. I once did a Sufi programme in Pakistan with the Punjabi folk singer Qurban Niazi. I had a lot of fun recently recording a demo with Wajih Ull Hussnain Nizami sitar talent and his friends from Rung School of Sufi Music and Arts of Islamabad. I have also tried my hands on supporting live dance productions with my voice. My partner in that is dancer/choreographer Panni Somi and her Sivasakti Kalananda Dance Theatre. I have built a mini repertoire of Indian music with Eva Thompson sitar/veena player and Gábor Gyarmati guitarist.


- Is there any artist you want to work with?

Katalin: - I constantly dream about cooperating with new music contacts. I would love to collaborate with Rokia Traore, Kiran Ahluwalia and the Vahdat sisters. But the list could go on and on.

- What are results of your achievements?

Katalin: - I have always wanted to travel and with the support of an institution or an organisation participate in international projects. My dream was a cultural dialogue between my Hungarian-inspired vocals and other artists' music as we sit together on the same stage, sharing the same moment. This dream came true as the Hungarian embassy in Pakistan put trust in me and invited me there for a fusion show with Chand and Suraj, whose vocal technique quite rubs off on me as I listen to them more and more. When musicians whom I respect know my name and remember some of the things that I have done, I also call that an achievement. In a talent show organised by Fonó, a significant concert venue in Budapest, I won third prize with my band in the folk music category. With my band I made an appearance in a Scottish TV show presenting Budapest, and I once performed live on Kohenoor TV in Lahore. I was featured in an annual collection of Hungarian folk music CD as a solo vocalist. To master the skill of giving your best in a project, to be creative and ready to improvise is also something I am gradually picking up.  

- How do you see the work nowadays in your field easy or difficult?

Katalin: - Without a lot of contacts, it's definitely difficult. But contacts are not everything. Without your high standard and skill, any contact is just an empty shell. I have knocked on a lot of doors and found a few that opened up. I am always contented with the one thing I presently need to focus on, looking forward to the next show and planning exciting things for the future. I write a lot of project proposals. If the situation is difficult, I remind myself that things tend to change very quickly.


- Do you have a favorite musical project that you’ve worked on?

Katalin: - My first visit to Pakistan and my first fusion show there was really memorable. That was the first time I could feel interaction with highly skilled musicians (Mohammad Ajmal, Salman Adil, Anil Saleem, Chand and Suraj Khan) from the subcontinent and experienced their respectful approach to my music, adding their own ideas to it. We only had a short rehearsal, there was no chance for more. And yet, the show was a joyride, with a lot of things that happened in the moment, making the project a real dialogue between Pakistan and Hungary – whose folk music is filled with the longing for Eastern connections.


- What are your plans for the future?

Katalin: - Currently I have more projects being planned in a few Asian countries. Of course, they are at various stages in the process. And then, I also have some mission in Hungary! Other than these short-lived fusion projects, I also dream about a deeper collection of compositions, a CD with like-minded musicians. I would like to send a demo to European festivals, to establish my presence in the West. Right now the publication of my first live Hungarian-Pakistani show on CD is in progress. Of course, I would also like to train myself more in the skill of singing.

- Do you have any advice for young people who want become in the field of media (Music/ television/ Film) ?

Katalin: - I can only mention cliches, but they are always useful. If you have that desire for performing planted deep inside you, then nothing and noone can stop you. Listen to both criticism and praise, but always with a pinch of salt. Find your own style, stick to your path and never take success or the appreciation of the audience for granted.
- i wish you the best: make your dreams true, or at least be succesful in your occupation and your personal life.  Thank you 



















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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Interview with Guessous Majda Mária great talented Hungarian Folk singer and Teacher (with translation)

I could call my self lucky, because I had the opportunity to make an interview, with a very talended young singer: Guessous Majda Mária (Meshi). 
- Meshi please introduce yourself for my readers:


Meshi: - If i look at myself from the outside: I'm a Hungarian-Moroccan girl, who was born in Hungary, int he city of Debrecen, into a big family. I graduated as a folk singer and teacher at the Music Academy, where i teach right now. If i look to myself from the inside, then i feel: I'm a girl, who has found her husband, who believes in God, in His miracles, in dreams, a girl who love to paint, write poems, play music, sing, to get to know herself and others.
  
- You have a great profession as singer, how you started it?  

Meshi: - Arts, music, and the love of folk songs was an important thing to me since i was born. Originally i wanted to be a doctor, i loved biology very much, but at the same time i went to music school where i gave concerts and participated in music contests. First I played on violoncello, then i started my studies at the folk songs major as the student of Sáriné Szebenyi Judit. Beyond the family traditions, she made me the path into the beautiful world of Hungarian folk music. I felt more and more that i need to choose this major. I ended up at the Music Academy, where i graduated not long ago as a musician and a teacher.

- What and who did really inspire you to get into field music?  

Meshi: - Many people and many small sign helped and motivated me on my way. Like my mother, my family and my teachers. And of course the audience what gave feed backs which motivated me also, and still motivates me today. I feel that my Creator made me for this path. I want to be a bonding bridge between cultures and people through music, folk music. Somehow all paths leaded me to this, and i every time i feel more strongly that i can only express the naturally of life and music this way hoping that not i am the only one who will take wings, but everyone. - It’s wonderful, that your family support you.

- What problems did you face to achieve your career?  


Meshi: - I think that pitfalls are in the first place can be found in the person him/herself. I strive to live a more beautiful and full life on the weekdays and on the stage too. This is my intention. I think there are always ups-and-downs. But its okay this way, this is how life goes, this is how a person evolves, goes ahead. For sure, the world of art is pretty wide, it hides many dangers too, but this is true for all the professions. Everyone should work on him/herself, and do his/her job this way, with good intentions. - You way of thinking is very responsible, and you always make up your mind, the world that surrounds you did not effect you, and the fact that you are very openminded is amazig.. i wish you the best: make your dreams true, or at least be succesful in your occupation and your personal life.

- Who have you worked with?  


Meshi: - I had the opportunity to work with a lots of artist and singers, which fusions made a great influence in me, because every other person with his music and personality is a micro cosmos. In 2012 I worked together with Alexandra Berta folk singer and zither player, Fausto Beccalossi jazz accordion player, the Hungarian folk group called Folk Embassy, András Jánosy folk violin player and teacher, Marlene Dorcena jazz singer, Mike Stern jazz guitarist, Said Tichiti moroccan singer, Szabolcs Szőke sarangi and gadulka player and Trilok Gurtu tabla artist (precussion). There are three musicians who regularly perform: My husband, Gerzson David Boros (darbuka, harp); Ivan Barvich (wind instruments, tambourine, RIQ), a member of the famous band Sebo, and Szabolcs Tóth sitar artist. World music ensemble jazz and folk elements with Balkan Union and Woodland band with a singer I am also present. I have these formations also represent an authentic folk music.

- Is there any artist you want to work with?  

Meshi: - Yes, there are many musicians and artist i would like to work with. My monthly club concerts are great opportunities for that. We had many times guest artists whom I have wanted to work with a from a long time, and thank God, we could play music together for a concert. I hope, that I one day will work with the artist is respect so i will be able to learn from them.

-What are results of your achievements? 

Meshi: - First I achieved some nice results as the pupil of Judit Sáryné Szebenyi thank God: grand prizes of national folk music competitions, Euro Regional Festivals 1. place and the Children and Youth Festival of Debrecens grand prize. In 2010 i graduated as a folk singer at the Music Academy, my master was Anna Vakler. In 2010 I participated int he Folk Beats National Talent competition where i achieved first place. In 2011I received the Junior Prima Prize (a national award) in folk art and public education categories. Int he same year my first album debuted with the title Szivárványhíd (Rainbow bridge), and after that I graduated in 2012 as a folk music teacher at the Music Academy where I teach right now.
In January-February 2013 I went to an American music tour, which I was awarded for the first place on Folk beats competition. My constant music companions István Barvich and my husband Gerzson Dávid Boros were also with me. We gave 15 concerts. It was a wonderful experience. - What you achieved represents, that hardworking always birngs succes.

- How do you see the work nowadays in your field easy or difficult? 

Meshi: - It is hard to work in this field, if the person does it for money. But its also true that for us musicians this is our profession, we live from this but we need to be careful to keep money away of our priorities. I think that the people must believe int he miracles , in his/her dreams and the path will soon be clear in from of him/her, it it really belongs to the person.

-Do you have a favorite musical project that you’ve worked on?  

Meshi: - My own music project, Szivárványhíd (the Rainbow bridge) album debuted in November 2011. This was my first album and I worked with it a lot. It’s called Rainbow bridge because it connects people, nations, cultures and the turning points of a humans life: marriage-death and the returning to God. You can find Hungarian, Turkish and Moroccan folk songs.
As I just mentioned i worked with many artists, what resulted in new projects like concerts. The memories and the experience of the mini tour with Mike Stern and Trilok Gurtu still fresh. They let me peer into a new musical world. It was the beautiful meeting of jazz and folk music. In 2013 Jan. i went with my team for a month tour int he USA, that was our last music project.

- You went far lately, you must have a lot of plans in the future, please tell us about them.


Meshi: - I would like to deepen my knowledge in Moroccan-Arab folk music besides of Hungarian and Turkish folk songs. There are many things in the air and I don't know what will happen to them or to what they will turn, but what I know is, I want a beautiful and happy family and i want to continue singing for the sake of God and the people.

- Do you have any advice for young people who want come in the field of media? 

Meshi: - Let he music born in your souls, your throats, your instrument! I wish you all beautiful creation! - Its fantastic to hear someone in such a young age talking this wisely, i wish that your succes will be worldwide, and your dreams will come true.




Thank you.





















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Hungarian translation:


Nagy örömömre lehetőségem adódott interjút készíteni egy fiatal tehetséges sokoldalú műveltséggel rendelkező népi ének előadóművésszel, Guessous Majda Máriával (Mesi). 
- Mesi mondj magadról néhány szót az olvasóknak:

Mesi: - Ha kívülről tekintek magamra: én egy magyar-marokkói lány vagyok, aki Magyarországon, Debrecenben, egy népes nagycsaládban született. Népi ének előadóművészként és tanárként diplomázott a Zeneakadémián, ahol jelenleg óraadó tanárként dolgozik.  Ha belülről tekintek magamra, akkor ezt érzem: egy lány, aki megtalálta a férjét, hisz a Teremtőben, a csodáiban, az álmokban, nagyon szeret festeni, verseket írni, zenélni, énekelni, önmagát és másokat megismerni. 

- Te egy profi énekes vagy, hogy indultál el ezen az úton?

Mesi: A művészetek, a zene, a népdalok szeretete gyermekkorom óta fontos része az életemnek. Eredetileg orvosnak készültem, nagyon szerettem a biológiát, de mindeközben zeneiskolába jártam és rendszeresen felléptem, illetve versenyeken vettem részt. Először csellóztam, majd népi ének szakon is elkezdtem tanulmányaimat Sáriné Szebenyi Judit tanítványaként. A családi hagyományokon túl ő vezetett be a magyar népzene szépséges világába. Egyre inkább azt éreztem, hogy nekem ez az utam, ezt a pályát kell választanom. Végül a Zeneakadémián találtam magam, ahol nemrég diplomáztam előadóművészként és tanárként. 

- Mi és ki ösztönzött, hogy zenével foglalkozz?

Mesi: Sok kis jel és személy segített, ösztönzött ezen az úton. Ilyen személy volt elsősorban az édesanyám, családom, tanáraim. Nem szabad elfelejteni a közönséget sem, akiktől olyan visszajelzéseket kaptam-kapok, amelyek szintén ösztönző erővel bírtak-bírnak a mai napig. Úgy érzem, hogy a Teremtőm erre a pályára rendelt. A zenén, népzenén keresztül összekötő híd szeretnék lenni a különböző emberek és kultúrák közt. Valahogy efelé vezetett minden út, s ahogy haladok ezen az úton egyre erősebb bennem azaz érzés, hogy az élet és ének természetességét a népdalokon keresztül tudom leginkább megélni és kifejezni, remélve azt, hogy ezzel nem csak én, hanem mások is szárnyra kapnak. – ez csodálatos, hogy a családod támogat...
  
- Milyen buktatói vannak a pályádnak?

Mesi: Buktatók úgy gondolom, hogy elsősorban magában az emberben vannak. Én arra törekszem, hogy minél szebb és teljesebb életet éljek a hétköznapokon és a színpadon is, a szándékom ez. Azt gondolom, hogy mindig van fent és lent. De ez így jó, ez az élet rendje, így fejlődik az ember. Az biztos, hogy a művészet világa nagyon tág, nagyon sok veszélyt is rejtegethet, de ez minden szakmára igaz. Mindenkinek önmagán kell dolgoznia, és így tennie a dolgát, jó szándékkal. – felelősségteljes gondolkodás jellemez téged és nem vagy meggondolatlan, nem fertőzött meg téged a romlott világ, és sokoldalú műveltséged lenyűgöző... a legjobbakat kívánom neked: valósítsd meg az álmaidat,  legyél sikeres a munkában és a magánéletben is.
  

- Kivel dolgoztál már együtt?

Mesi: Számos zenésszel, művésszel volt lehetőségem együtt dolgozni. Minden egyes ilyen fuzió, együttzenélés nagy hatással volt rám, hiszen minden ember egy-egy mikrokozmosz a maga személyiségével, zenei világával. 2012-ben együtt dolgoztam Berta Alexandra citerás népdalénekes előadóművésszel, Fausto Beccalossi jazz tangóharmónikással, a Folkembassy magyar népzenei együttessel,  Jánosi András népi hegedűművésszel és tanárral, Marlene Dorcena jazz énekesnővel, Mike Stern jazz gitárossal, Said Tichiti marokkói énekessel, Szőke Szabolcs sarangi és gadulkajátékossal, valamint Trilok Gurtu tablaművésszel.  Van három zenész, akikkel rendszeresen fellépek: férjem, Boros Gerzson Dávid (darbuka, doromb); Barvich Iván (fúvós hangszerek, tambura, riq) -a híres Sebő együttes egyik tagja; illetve Tóth Szabolcs szitárművész. Világzenei együtteseim a jazz és népzenei elemeket ötvöző Balkan Union és Woodland együttes, ahol énekesként szintén jelen vagyok. Ezekben a formációkban is az autentikus népzenét képviselem.

- Van olyan művész, akivel szívesen együtt dolgoznál?

Mesi: Igen, sok olyan művész van, akivel szívesen együtt dolgoznék. A havi klubkoncertjeim erre nagyon jó alkalmak. Ezeken a koncerteken sok esetben voltak már vendégművészek, akikkel már szintén régóta szerettem volna együtt zenélni, és hála Istennek, sikerült együtt zenélnünk egy vagy akár több közös koncert erejéig. Remélem, hogy sok-sok általam tisztelt művésszel tudok majd együtt dolgozni, akiktől rengeteget tudok majd tanulni.
  
- Milyen sikereket tudsz felmutatni?

Mesi: Először Sáriné Szebenyi Judit tanítványaként értem el hála Istennek szép eredményeket: országos népzenei versenyek kiemelt díjai, az Eurorégiós Fesztivál I. díja, és Debreceni Gyermek és Ifjúsági Fesztivál Nagydíja. 2010-ben népi ének előadóművészként diplomáztam a Zeneakadémián, mesterem Vakler Anna volt.  2010-ben indultam a Folkbeats országos tehetségkutató versenyen, ahol I. helyezést értem el. 2011-ben Junior Prima Díjban (állami kitüntetésben) részesültem népművészet és közművelődés kategóriában. Ugyanebben az évben jelent meg első lemezem Szivárványhíd címmel, majd 2012-ben népzenetanárként diplomáztam a Zeneakadémián, ahol jelenleg óraadó tanárként dolgozom.
2013 januárjában-februárjában volt egy amerikai turném, amit a Folkbeats első helyezettjeként kaptam. Velem tartott két állandó zenésztársam is: Barvich Iván és férjem, Boros Gerzson Dávid is. 23 nap alatt 15 koncertet adtunk. Hála Istennek hatalmas élmény volt! - A  kemény munka mindig meghozza gyümölcsét, ezt reprezentálja mindaz, amit eddig elértél.

 - Hogy látod, nehéz ebben dolgozni, amiben te vagy, vagy könnyű?

Mesi: Nehéz ebben a szakmában dolgozni, ha azt az ember pénzért csinálja. Az is igaz, hogy nekünk, zenészeknek ez a szakmánk, ebből élünk, de vigyáznunk kell, hogy az elsődleges mozgatórugó ne a pénz legyen. Én úgy gondolom, hogy az embernek hinnie kell a csodában, az álmaiban, és az út kirakódik számára, ha az valóban hozzá tartozik.



- Van híres zenei projekt, amin dolgoztál?

Mesi: Saját zenei projektem, a Szivárványhíd lemez 2011 novemberében jelent meg. Ez volt első, debütáló albumom, amin nagyon sokat dolgoztam. Szivárványhíd, mert embereket, népeket, kultúrákat és az emberi élet nagy fordulópontjait-születés, házasság és a Teremtőhöz való visszatérés- köti össze. A lemezen magyar, török és marokkói népdalok találkoznak.
Ahogy említettem, sok művésszel dolgoztam együtt, akikkel szintén egy-egy új zenei projekt született, melyeknek eredménye egy-egy koncert lett. Friss élményként él bennem a mini turné Mike Sternnel és Trilok Gurtuval, akik szintén egy új zenei világba engedtek bepillantani. Gyönyörű találkozása volt a jazznek és a népzenének. 2013 januárjában a csapatommal egy közel egy hónapos USA turnéra indultunk, most ez volt a legutóbbi zenei projekt. 

- Messzire jutottál már, sok terved lehet a jövőre nézve, mesélj a terveidről.

Mesi: - Szeretném mélyíteni tudásomat a magyar, és török népzenén kívűl, a marokkói-arab népzene területén is. Sok minden van a levegőben, amiből nem tudom, hogy mi lesz, de azt igen, hogy szeretnék egy szép, boldog családot, és szeretnék továbbra is énekelni Isten és az emberek örömére. 

- Van valamilyen tanácsod a fiataloknak, akik szeretnének zenével foglalkozni?
Mesi: A zenét hagyják megszületni a lelkükben, a torkukban, a hangszerükben! Csodálatos alkotást kívánok nekik!  - Fantasztikus hallgatni egy ilyen fiatal művészt ilyen bölcsen beszélni, én kívánom neki hogy sikere legyen viágszerte, és teljesüljenek az álmai. 



Köszönöm.




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