This will be an evening of Gypsy-style music from all over the Carpathian Basin: Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and neighboring regions. This talented group of master musicians dedicated to preserving Gypsy (Roma) tradition has presented the Gypsy Fantasy concert in Pittsburgh and has met with rave reviews.  We are pleased to bring this event to Cleveland in 2026.

 

The program highlights the deeply expressive and technically dazzling style often associated with Gypsy (Roma) musicians. These traditions were carried across the Atlantic during waves of immigration to North America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where they continued to flourish within tight-knit communities and family ensembles that kept those traditions alive. At the heart of the performance is the evocative pairing of violin and cimbalom — the shimmering, hammered dulcimer that forms the rhythmic and harmonic backbone of Eastern European Roma ensembles. The musicians trace their repertoire directly to mentors and elders who preserved these melodies through oral tradition which is shaped by memory, improvisation, and personal expression.

The evening will feature lush, romantic melodies alongside electrifying dance forms such as the csárdás and the friss — contrasting sections that move from slow, heart-stirring laments to breathtakingly fast, rhythmically charged finales. The music unfolds with dramatic rubato, sweeping violin lines, and the sparkling cascades of the cimbalom, creating an atmosphere at once intimate and exhilarating.

“This music tells stories of migration, resilience, longing, and celebration,” says Walter Mahovlich Harmonia’s Artistic Director. “It is music that lives in the heart — passed from one generation to the next — and we are honored to share it with new audiences.”

Rich in emotion, spontaneity, and virtuosity, this concert offers more than a performance; it is a cultural journey through the soundscape of Eastern Europe and the enduring spirit of the Roma people.

A reception with live music and dancing follows the concert.  Delicious traditional Hungarian food will be available prepared by the Hungarian Scouts, as well as a full bar.  Seating will be at tables on the main floor with overflow seating available on the balcony.  Advance tickets will be available and are strongly recommended.  The Slovenian National Home on St. Clair Avenue is a beautifully restored historic venue with a full stage and large wooden dance floor, as well as a spacious bar and kitchen.  There is plenty of parking at the back of the building.

Experience the romance, fire, and timeless beauty of Eastern European Roma music — where every note carries history, and every rhythm ignites the soul…
 

Performers:
Harmonia –
Beata Begeniova Fedoriouk – vocals
Alexander Fedoriouk – cimbalom
Walt Mahovlich – clarinet and accordion
Jozef Janis – violin
Catalin Petrescu – bass and cello

Gypsy Stringz-
George Batyi – violin
Kristofer Vucelich – tamburica
Mark Stafura – tamburica kontra
Mikey Dee – tamburica and vocals
Brock Belich – Bass

Special Guest:
Alex Udvary – cimbalom

 

 

Don’t miss this event!