Lăutari

The Romanian word Lăutar denotes a class of traditional musicians. Most often, and by tradition, lăutari are members of a professional clan of Romani musicians (or the derogatory term, Gypsies), also called țigani lăutari. The term is derived from lăută, the Romanian word for lute. Lăutari usually perform in bands, called taraf.

Terminology

Lăutar, according to the DEX ("Dicționarul Explicativ al Limbii Române" — "The Explanatory Dictionary of the Romanian Language"), is formed from lăută (meaning "lute") and the agent suffix -ar, common for occupational names. A distinction should be made between the generic Romanian-language word lăutar and the Romani clan. Originally, the word was used only for those that played the lăută. The others were named for their instruments, too, e.g.: scripcar (violin player), cobzar (cobza player), and naigiu (nai/panflute player). From the 17th century, the word lăutar was used regardless of the instrument that was played.

Another distinction should be made between the lăutărească music played by lăutari and the Romanian peasant music. A more proper term for someone who plays peasant music, i.e., a folk musician, is rapsod.

Lăutar (song)

"Lăutar" is a song by singer Pasha Parfeny. It represented Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. It finished 5th in the first semi-final to qualify for the grand final where it finished 11th place. Backing vocalist for Parfeny, Aliona Moon represented Moldova the next year.

Charts

References