Because of its geographical situation, Croatian traditional music has had numerous influences over the century: Central Europe in the west, the Mediterranean in the south, and the Balkans in the east, including the Ottoman empire. In Croatia there are six distinctive styles of music divided according to the three main regions, as well as from three other regions. On this CD there are traditional songs and dances as well as vocal, vocal/instrumental, and instrumental songs, performed on typical instruments. Three of the 26 recordings are from two minorities: the Serbs (tracks 17-18) and the Roma/Gypsies (track 19). Interestingly, a number of the pieces heard were written recently and some are even performed by the composers themselves, showing that their traditional music is still alive. This CD presents the music of Croatia as it stands, as its people have been keeping up with tradition as well as its contemporary influences from neighboring countries. ~ Bruno Deschênes, All Music Guide
