Live review: Söndörgö at RNCM (1)

By Lucie Phillips

On the opening night of their tour, Söndörgö’s exhilarating music entranced the audience of RNCM’s Studio Theatre from start to finish. Their unique approach to Balkan music is incredibly attractive and versatile, tempting the audience in every direction possible with their rapid Southern Slav folk dances and static, atmospheric improvisations. Even within songs their music takes the most unexpected, most pleasurable of turns: flitting between styles and speeds with ease and sophistication.
Söndörgö is primarily a tamburitza band, meaning that they play various types of tambura - a mandolin-like instrument. Occasionally wind instruments appear along with an accordion to add yet another colour to this already vibrant band. Between them Áron Eredics, Benjamin Eredics, Dávid Eredics, Salamon Eredics and Attila Buzás play at least 17 instruments to the highest of standards. The group made the decision on the night to not to be amplified but this did not hinder the balance at all - they are so skilful and such good musicians that when two of them played in harmony it still sounds like one, even without mics. As they ‘rock out’ the brothers challenge each other when soloing which makes the show all the more entertaining to watch. And occasionally they treat us to snippets of hearty singing, adding yet more skill and convincing us of their expertise.
As well as the individual virtuosity of Söndörgö, they are possibly one of the tightest bands you will ever come across. This tightness doesn’t merely come from endless rehearsal; it comes from knowing each other inside out as musicians which is why they manage to sound so organic and are never in danger of coming across as over rehearsed. Even the lighting team were part of this synergy and while the light show was startling at first, the juxtaposition of traditional music and modern technology wasn’t grating or twee but instead, sums up the band as a whole: 5 passionate, incredibly talented musicians who are enlightening the world with their music; not because it’s a niche commodity but because it is what they love. Music lovers will look back on this gig and smile in delight at the incomparable joy and talent consistently presented by Söndörgö. Their passion shines through and the audience cannot help but be enchanted by Söndörgö’s endearing manner and exhilarating performance.

Live at RNCM