Fanfare Ciocarlia: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Truth be told, I was scared. We've stuffed a lot of musicians behind the Tiny Desk, but when I saw Fanfare Ciocarlia (pronounced "fan-FAR-eh cho-car-LEE-ah") at Globalfest the week before the band arrived at NPR, I couldn't fathom how we'd corral these 12 musicians and their various assorted horns and drums into that truly tiny space.
But the day this joyous Balkan brass band from the Romanian village of Zece Prăjini came to play, it was one of the happiest days I've experienced at our new building. From wedding songs to American rock 'n' roll to the occasional James Bond theme, the group plays at a pace that would make the Ramones burst into a sweat. When you get hooked and want more, find Fanfare Ciocarlia's new record, Devil's Tale. It will help make your parties the stuff of blissful memories. --BOB BOILEN
Set List
"Sirba De La Monastirea"
"Lume, Lume"
"Asfalt Tango"
Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Denise DeBelius; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Gabriella Garcia-Pardo, Olivia Merrion; photo by Jim Tuttle/NPR

[@The1humanity]

I was at one of their concerts in Toronto, ON, years ago. After the concert, the band ended up playing on the street downtown Toronto and the party continued. One of my happiest memories.

[@purushottamkotwal632]

You are Lucky one!

[@MimaKovac]

Same in Belgrade... concert after concert 😅

[@ZOKI.SAVIC.0711]

Ne jači od njih 👌🏽⚘🔥🔥🔥.... oni su zakon 😎

[@tonyg6103]

OMG My dream concert

[@woah6958]

They did something similar when I saw them: got the audience to follow them out of the theatre and into the foyer where they kept playing, and then a wedding party showed up and danced the traditional dancing. They just kept playing and passing the hat around. It was brilliant.

[@shirkenXCCR]

This shit goes hard as fuck lol

[@irishkayo]

ikr

[@roverwanderer3422]

not one single one of them reads a music sheet, now that is what I call talent!!

[@danielcifuentes7198]

That and the fact each one can play his instrument at impressive speed. Simply amazing.

[@vhssika]

man, im telling you, i am in a deep pit of sadness right now but these 12 guys playing in a video made almost 5 years ago now has brought me to tears of joy

[@Sina.g.z]

Dude, that's the whole point of it.

[@sebastianhormazabal1921]

same

[@dkkoshi]

it’s you in the pit or is it empty? 🤫

[@tonyg6103]

❤

[@themind8329]

Just a quick reminder to have your dose of happiness : )

[@vexation5]

The quiet accounting firm upstairs just sent a strongly-worded letter to the landlord, lol.

[@blazejbch]

:D

[@bibs7855]

Good.

[@bibs7855]

We say. Dear quiet firm. Come dance with us.

[@Not_Me-Not_Me]

🤣🤣🤣

[@rickmohair]

I lucked out and saw them in Seattle. I traveled to Romania later just to hear this type music, Was not disappointed to see Rai Banda playing at an ethnic music festival there. Balkan Brass Band music is fantastic and Fanfare Ciocarlia is the best. "Donate" money toward their new album. They support themselves through live performance, so they are hurting bad during covid. Save this excellent music. Thank you Borat for getting them paid. They are not from Kazakhistan. Romania.

[@jesamani75]

They came to Mexico City but I live very far away in Tijuana.

[@riaward4307]

I am SOOOOOOO jealous!

[@ivirina18]

А как их можно поддержать деньгами?

[@iloveblackmentwerking]

I live near Seattle. WHAT!?!?!?!

[@danielcifuentes7198]

You lucky

[@nomadicmonkey3186]

I'd like them to play at my funeral.

[@MURRYCHOOCK]

They really do that!

[@IoanaBoanca]

Good idea

[@csgXIII]

This is what they do, funerals, weddings and christening party!!!

[@franciscoramirez4179]

Asfalt Tango got me here and I'm completely delighted!🎶📯🎷🎺🥁😁👏👏👏👏👍

[@georgiana1754]

I wanted to add translations but you didn't allow community contributions for the video. Anyway, here is the introduction translated: Good day ladies and gents! Considering you are a wonderful audience that appreciates any kind of good music, even music from Moldolva and oriental-gipsy music from Romania, I have the pleasure to present you this band from Romania-Moldova here to sing the most appreciated folk songs from that region.

[@EniemOne]

Add them here in the comment section please! :D

[@Daalia00]

Thanks for the translation!

[@elielbarbalarga1872]

Thanks :)

[@manuel_cojocaru]

Bine mai :))))

[@Barberserk]

Thanks Georgiana, you rock!

[@blindace]

what an absolute joy to come across this. never realise they had been on tiny desk! they make Romanians and Rromas everywhere proud.

[@INDIANDRUMS98]

Wow that clarinet player can really project he's the only woodwind player in the middle of all of those brass players and he takes the lead most of the time

[@vadimzitsermusicianvlogcha3870]

It is not projection. But range. He plays Eb clarinet,so he is above everybody:-)

[@darlingdirtbag]

I had the pleasure of seeing these fellas in san francisco (they happened to be playing while i was there for WORK...WHAT?!?!?!?!) it was such a magical night of amazing music. i felt lucky to be there!

[@thomaskrieglstein3817]

Best I ever heard in 54 years...and i ' ve heard a lot ...bravissimo !!

[@wojtekjj1803]

I love Romanian music, culture and our Brothers :)

[@copyb594]

This is actually Gypsy music, I have found Romanian music to sound quite a bit different

[@hangedups2608]

NAH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ROMANIA

[@Fabrizi19]

This is a thunderstorm of pure melodic chaos. Brings out the devil in your feet!!!

[@achimpfefferkorn3019]

Saw one of their concerts in Dornbirn (Austria) years ago. One of my best concert experiences forever. After the gig they continued playing ABBA's "Money, Money,Money" in the foyer and passed a hat around to collect some more money. Splendid!

[@Teona1212]

Bravo, băieți, ați ajuns într-un loc râvnit de mulți cântăreți :)

[@mountainair]

These guys look like they can put down 1000 sarmale each in one sitting

[@joshfrank5739]

I actually laughed out loud because this is so good

[@ChrisBellekom]

Josh Frank exactly! 😂👍🏻

[@IoanaBoanca]

Ikr this is cathartic

[@dbadagna]

If you like this, check out Conlon Nancarrow's Study #27 for Player Piano.

[@Barberserk]

I am so lucky to have seen this awesome band live. Unforgetable.

[@danielcifuentes7198]

You lucky...

[@jansmolka1805]

Legends, their concerts are real antidepressant. Hope they will come to Prag this spring and i will dance and drink to celebrate the end of the pandemic.

[@dkkoshi]

i hope the came and you drank and danced. kiss Prague from me, it is my heart.

[@plurimon8636]

They are coming 5.9, and it's their last tour!!!!

[@jansmolka1805]

@@plurimon8636 relay, why? Its quite complicated to me, i am not from Prag, but if this is realy last...

[@plurimon8636]

@@jansmolka1805 I wanted to go Prague (they play both Monday and Tuesday) because of the city itself and the overall party spirit...but Vienna in late September or 10th November in St Polten will have to do. They also got loads of german dates. It's a must see band

[@danielcifuentes7198]

Their concerts are a good medicine for soul pains. Remind us the joy for life.

[@ANTRAXENTE]

thanks, i love Fanfare Ciocarlia,-Eargasm, greetings from Colombia.

[@xxjerzyrecordsxx]

Man, these guys would have been awesome to send into my roommate's room to wake him up back in the day....

[@OrchestraBeat]

)

[@prowrestlingnostalgic2001]

Aquí un mexicano anonadado de esta particular forma de hacer música, tan autentica, me resulta hipnotizante...¡Fascinante!

[@danielcifuentes7198]

Que te dire vecino. Aqui un Guatemalteco que comparte tu gusto por la musica. Y que decir de la musica de Mexico, impresionante, diversa y buenisima.

[@franciscoramirez4179]

Soy Mexicano y Nunca me gusto el inche genero de Banda de Mexico👎 pero esto es fenomenal!👍

[@drudenhaus07]

Gigantic authentic artists.

[@Danielblco0]

Now I want to a ttend to a Romanian wedding and get drunk dancing this

[@OrchestraBeat]

)

[@skarafan01]

Was at one. Cant stop dancing while at this :D

[@vladnickul]

I think you need better shoes ;)

[@Barberserk]

You don't need to get drunk, the music does all the work for you.

[@lust4bass]

Take a week off, at least.

[@ikewah]

goes to the heart and the feet

[@Nobsok]

Now I know what to look forward to at my Romanian wedding

[@penelopejoann]

THIS is what I needed to transition to 2021!! So unique. I have NEVER heard anything like these guys. Masterful. Inspiring. Gives me so much to put toward my love of music!!! Speaks to the ticker fa sure. I am getting a fedora as tribute to my g-ma. She would love this, GRHS!!! RIP

[@sorsorscience0787]

Literally some of the greatest music I've ever heard

[@hectorquinones5579]

After seeing this video a few years ago I'd never imagine I would end up seeing them live. I just saw them today in Barcelona: great concert!

[@ytukike]

i would love to join them for dinner, the stories and the drinks..

[@Paulkatz123]

It feels like I'm listening at 2 times the original the speed. Loving it

[@user-gs7du7mm2e]

Какая харизма! Какой позитив! От этих исполнителей исходит огромный поток энергии! Народная румынско - молдавская, карпатская музыка - обладает особым свойством подзаряжать слушателя и провоцировать на танец! Чрезвычайно энергитическая музыка! Спасибо этому коллективу и больших творческих успехов!

[@shaddjimenez4524]

beautiful culture, would love to learn everything about this style of music.

[@circulati]

The first 2 are very old traditional Romanian songs. They re usually played at weddings and people dance to them, usually in a circle that moves around very fast. You need to be very fit to keep up lol. The second song “Lume, lume” was made famous by Maria Tanase, the first big star of traditional Romanian music back in the 1930s. Look her up on KZbin. Also look up Taraf de Haidouks, Fărâmița Lambru, Țoni Iordache, Gabi Lunca for more 🇷🇴 music goodness. Cheers from Bucharest ✌🏻

[@christernordstrom8356]

Some years ago I was searching for klezmer music but I found FANFARE CIOCARLIA instead and I was totally fascinated. Please play on for ever

[@andreicatana100]

The weddings where this kind of music plays are exactly like the songs. Pure madness. Or palinka. Not sure which is which.

[@tanathos17]

Both, it is a fatal combination my friend :))

[@colinmcpherson2515]

Real men, playing real instruments, creating great music. Ya canna whack it.

[@jimothyberting2886]

It took seeing subsequent moviefilm to find this. I’m not complaining. And if you ask me when do I regret things? Sometimes always never. Like right now.

[@MrMomoitin]

Chenqui, Jimothy

[@Duckhunter-doinyourmom69]

Borat apparently likes the Gypsies

[@jesamani75]

I’m not allowed to watch the new Borat film here in Mexico Amazon does not allow me to,do they play music from these guys in the new movie also?

[@muhammedadel9673]

@@jesamani75 Yeah Fanfare Ciocarlia re-did some of their songs especially for the movie

[@jesamani75]

@@muhammedadel9673 i watched the movie i liked it very much and especially with FC music,greetings from Mexico friend.

[@erinn2101]

These guys are so great! I loved the little Gershwin interlude towards the end of Asfalt Tango!

[@speakertomeat]

I thought I would never see them live, but they did come to my country incredibly! I jumped until I almost passed out that night

[@ajeje1996]

I'm italian and I can almost make out what the "frontman" is saying during the intro... eerie.

[@bumblebee9989ify]

12D3 That's because Italian and Romanian are both Latin languages and they are closely related. Romanian means "citizen of the Roman Empire".

[@SaintMu]

It's not that eerie actually. I'm French, and I can kinda understand it as well... As long as you're used to hearing foreign languags, and since French, Italian, Spanish, German, English, Romanian, etc. are actually quite similar, it kinda makes sense

[@oraetblavora2375]

well romanian is much more similar to italian tbh

[@robertomendozavargas5912]

Well I'm Mexican and I can understand also...

[@sickdick8649]

...because Romanian is a Latin language, not slavic...

[@4mydearlady]

This is so much freakin' fun!!

[@OrchestraBeat]

)

[@TheStupidfingerz]

I had the pleasure to see them perform live at a gypsy music festival , maaan it was a blast!

[@padjo59]

Just love it, and because we are wandering around the Balkans this summer, I think their home village is going to get a visit from me! I play Irish music and there is a very similar vibe here: learning it by ear, listening to each other's beat and feeling it in your gut. And you dance! But the incredible thing is that these guys go at 200mph and don't miss a single beat, whether it's 7/8 or 11/8. That is remarkable playing and it comes from doing it day after day after day and still loving the glorious chaos that you are producing. Chapeau!

[@EniemOne]

Gold! Majestic! Awesome! Joyful! Best remedy for any kind of depressions ...

[@leostar0810]

This made me extremely happy!

[@alexdesslin]

exceptionnal energic fellows !! that music is totally sentimental and sweet and also electric and punchy !!

[@loudblackmenfilmproduction7974]

Borat brought me here... They made me stay! ❤️

[@stephaniemorris6173]

Me too! This group is sick!

[@HasikenChannel]

Absolutely great!!!

[@GadgetVision]

The saxophonist is out of this world!! Mulțumesc!

[@MarionFiedlerMusic]

Wow! this is amazing! On such a small stage, too! Amazing! Thanks for sharing! Marion

[@robertdamned1166]

Majstori!!! Bravo

[@fcukmegently]

Loads of fun. Great! Well done those men!

[@forge73]

Soy de México y su musica me gusta mucho

[@frencinimunoz9934]

Luis Daniel Bernal a mi también me encanta, debería ser mas conocida su música aquí en nuestro país verdad? saludos.

[@kucam12mischablue]

latin brothers from the other side of the planet

[@markm0000]

@@kucam12mischablue Nah every Mexican I've encountered doesn't care about Romanians or anyone else from Europe.

[@esocida]

@@markm0000 maybe but the roots of what we say mexican as Christians are in Europe not in South America . More precisely in eastern Europe , in Carpathian mountain range from where Hibernians next Spaniards migrated in Peninsula.

[@saultaboa526]

Si escuchas el concierto en .75 parece una banda de norteño bien arremangada jajaja ,yo hago música balkan y me encanta. Tengo esperanza de que con el tiempo se introduzca más a México junto a muchos géneros que aún falta integrar en Latinoamérica en general.

[@xococ]

Maestros

[@sickdick8649]

Si

[@ricardogomez4261]

¡Fantástico! Apenas los escuché, de inmediato me remitieron al 'Underground' de Emir Kusturica y a toda la excepcional música gitana; este grupo completo es genial; todo. Qué maravilla haber encontrado ayer (gracias al poeta David Huerta y Anaïs Mitchell)) estos Tiny Desk Concert de la NPR. Saludos.

[@savictor1]

yo lo acabo de escuchar y le dije a mi esposa que acabo de encontrar a mi segundo grupo favorito despues de Goran Bregovic!!!!!

[@arlowolf1690]

Some beautiful performances. These guys are proof the Red Wheel will always turn.

[@mintynovember8458]

They make the Melbourne Ska Orchestra sound like Kraftwerk

[@keepcalmandcarryon8934]

😂, but still, thanks for talking about the MSO, i enjoy the discovering !

[@stefanomariataurino7231]

Thats because theyve got this kind of music in their veins. Thats the difference

[@mintynovember8458]

@@keepcalmandcarryon8934 MSO lead man super control freak, not a note gets past that jazz filter!

[@dekuscrublord3737]

I don't even know how you came to that conclusion, but it got a good laugh out of me.

[@paramed8]

Holy God, it’s a real groove in their blood!!!

[@Velatos1]

this is old music, where kids were trained as apprentices to their masters. It's a family thing but this doesn't mean they were playing on their I phones..., this is the work of hours of playing on a daily basis. It's the only way to achieve any sort of success...

[@thirdeyeunltd]

dope music getting things done faster and faster

[@RC_GMT]

❤❤❤❤❤❤ znakomici artyści, znakomite utwory ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@NewZman23]

Just wonderful music and wonderful musicians- bravo!. I love this music; I can hear rhythms and musical similarities to Indian and Nepali and middle eastern music that I am familiar with. The roots of this music fascinate me.

[@safetylover69]

Frumos comentariu Cornelia Florea ,multumesc de postare,sunt al naibii de buni baietii astia,cinste lor

[@RooseveltCoopling]

That will be my soundtrack when I get into a beef with people bigger than me. Pronto!

[@RooseveltCoopling]

I still think likewise in 2022

[@patriciaclavijo1973]

I love this guys, they make me wanna dance and jump!

[@caldeirone]

SOOOO GREATTTTTT! This guys are beasts!! Multumesc from Portugal Fanfare Ciocarlia!

[@danielcifuentes7198]

Muzyka romska to coś niezwykłego, coś szalonego, ale przede wszystkim coś, czego uwielbiam słuchać. Proszę, nigdy nie przestawaj grać. Pozdrowienia z Gwatemali, kraju Mayas.

[@kainiindustries4687]

these gotta be the last men that can actually rock fedoras

[@8starsAND]

My favourite moment is 3:00. What a power of rhythmic section!

[@Palaciofilin]

This music has a very high TPM (Things Per Minute). Love it!

[@steve_Ngro_Blck]

13:42 One of these mornings you're gonna rise up singing And you'll spread your wings and you'll take to the sky. summertime.

[@dogspotter9870]

Just love these guys. Can't wait to see them live next year :)

[@MERCFATMAN]

yes yes yes yes this is freaking amazinnngggggggggg

[@jimikazak]

What amazing and kool kat these musicians are. Wow

[@cunkmusic8748]

Always hits the spot...

[@revolutionfarm1232]

τσιγγάνοι!!!! TSIGANI!!!!! Ah how I LOVE this music!

[@micheleromeno4283]

Sa va dea Dumnezeu Domnul Isus Cristos sanatate si putere la cintat pina la o suta de ani!

[@andresskl1]

Beautifully talented! The best of the best.

[@henrymartinez4871]

This is some joyful, uplifting stuff!

[@996benji]

So good. Its amazing to see so many extremely talented and passionate musicians on one spot.

[@purushottamkotwal632]

Why I was not there to listen to the lovely music from this Romanian Balken Brass band . I am also proud of them as their ancestors belonged to India.🌿

[@IoanaBoanca]

So was it everything you dreamed of?

[@alexpena820]

for my funeral please...

[@gravyp]

Alex Hernández I thought exactly the same thing! If anything will make you sit up in your coffin it's this.

[@weeepsify]

Cool fact, it is common for roma communities to actually play this type of music at funerals. they also celebrate the life of the one that died with long (2+ days) and loud parties. Their culture is actually very interesting

[@alexpena820]

@@gravyp sorry for didn't watch your reply!! I tought in the coffin dance right now!!

[@alexpena820]

@@weeepsify in México there are places they do something like that.

[@k.ms.r.1476]

Wow!!! You guys are incredible!!! You make my day!

[@brichyplacido9285]

LOS AMO! I LOVE THEM!

[@autumnleaves2766]

Great fun. Talented musicians preserving their Romanian culture. Love the shape of those horns, which you also see in Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany. I hope they are earning a decent living from this lively music.

[@someguy2744]

0:00 Sirba De La Monastirea. 3:30 - Lume Lume 8:16 - Asfalt Tango

[@Donquijotereyes]

Excelente para empezar la mañana....saludos desde Chile!!

[@vadimzitsermusicianvlogcha3870]

There is so many magic in a good brass band...

[@Baribrotzer]

Strange instruments - no trombones, weirdly-shaped baritones and tubas, a mini-bass-drum apparently made of sheet metal, and that Albert-system micro-clarinet. It's like Mexican banda music from the other side of the planet.

[@martinsterle7955]

Baribrotzer that weirdly shaped baritones are actual baritones what u ment was euphonium baritone and those tubas are called helikon... at least in Slovenia

[@waynesteffen8459]

Martin Sterne European style baritones rather than American or British style.

[@idontknowmyname8079]

it is mexican music from the other side of the planet

[@muratcinar]

spettacolare!

[@tomepajmakoski9095]

I have heard the asfalt tango song from other band, and thought of skiping it but skipped a minute and ended up listening on, they are doing a good job with it

[@SeekThePaleSeptember]

~ Fucking Awesomeee!! I have 2 albums by these guys. Their music is passionate & capable of rising the dead! Worth every penny. Note to self: Look for said albums.

[@sylvaintroiscentsix]

Romaniaaaaaaaaaa!!!! I love Fanfare Ciocarliaaaaaa !!!!

[@marceloparedes4664]

Anywhere I listen to then, I stop doing what I'm doing and start dancing. Love these guys, love this music.

[@MarianneBlum]

Great!!! I love it. Make one dance like hell.

[@user-mg9kq5yk5n]

Bravo lautarii ! Salut de la Crimea.

[@jasonhudson4209]

It really doesn’t get much better than this- superbe!

[@akiragomes]

Love from Brazil!

[@hansinternett7661]

wonderful