Album Description
avanticlassic's first production is 'Fire Dance' by Roby Lakatos & Ensemble. it is an explosive mix of authentic Gypsy music combining themes from around the world. by Roby's own estimation, it is his greatest work to date.
with superb panache, Roby and his Ensemble offer us some of their finest and most electrifying work. Roby is supported by his legendary band: Lászlo Bóni, the group's second violinist, Ernest Bangó, the famous cimbalom player, Attila Rontó the guitarist and Oszkár Németh the bass player. together they deliver their most perfect recording yet committed to disc. the programme, the energy and the ever-amazing virtuosity are truly unique.
About the Artist
Born into the legendary family of gypsy violinists descended from Janos Bihari in 1965, Roby Lakatos was introduced to music as a child and made his public debut as first violinist in a gypsy band at the age of nine. He learned his craft not only within the bosom of his own family but also at the Béla Bartók Conservatory of Budapest, where he won first prize for classical violin in 1984. Between 1986 and 1996 he and his ensemble played regularly at "Les Atéliers de la Grande Isle" in Brussels which became his musical home throughout this period.
Since then, his career has evolved with an ever increasing number of international concerts and engagements. He has performed at all the major international festivals in Europe, the U.S.A, Japan, South-Korea, Australia, and China.
His first CD was released in 1998. The varied programme, including Kodaly, Brahms, music from John William's score for Schindler's List and Charles Aznavour's La Bohème, was an excellent example of his versatility. This was followed in 1999 by another wide-ranging programme on 'Lakatos: Live from Budapest'. These performances, given on the occasion of the ensemble's May 1999 'homecoming' concerts at the famous Thalia Theatre, mixed jazz and gypsy idioms with contemporary and classical elements.
