A Platform for Ethnically and Culturally Inspired Music
ABOUT
Music project KarpaTon was created in 2010 as the initiative of multi-instrumentalist and singer Michal Smetanka. It originated in his intention to bring to life a fusion of traditional music culture of the Carpathians into new music genres, above all alternative music and world music. Due to the participation of various musicians who joined the project over the years, several original and successful programs were transformed into multiple concerts, and 4 albums were recorded (KarpaTon I in 2011, Na koreňu in 2012, double album Skadzi Tadzi in 2013, and Karpat Mater in 2015).
Particularly characteristic for KarpaTon is the exclusive acoustic expression, irreplaceable due to the variable use of numerous ethnic musical instruments originating in regions from the Carpathians through Eurasia to the musical armamentarium of world exotic cultures. Compositions, edits, and improvisations in performances have roots in the traditional Carpathian songs, mostly Slovak and Ruthenian ones. Another characteristic is the exclusive use of native, traditional lyrics reproduced in a new, unconventional way. Despite the sound and instrumental variety in KarpaTon music interpretation, the signature of Slovak and Carpathian tradition is always clearly identifiable.
Numerous outstanding musicians were, and still are, collaborating with project KarpaTon either as long-term members or guest musicians: B. Fecková, A. Nacher, Z. Antošová, J. Majer Vavreková, L. Bujňáková, M. Olejníková, M. Szabóová, M. Mišendová, R. Pajorková, I. Feníková, E. Halčínová, A. Bachledová, M. Styczinski, M. Harna, S. Baláž, J. Franek, J. Hrušovský, M. Germuška, P. Germuška, P. Marcinko, E. Fertál, R. Egreši, P. Pavličko, M. Muller, J. Chovanec, Š. Mačejovský, A. Smetanka, E. Drelich, P. Pavlík, M. Lizak, M. Reznický, M. Janigloš, and others.
Fundamental members of KarpaTon Concert tour 2018:
I. Feníková – vocals
M. Smetanka – multi-instrumentalist, vocals
S. Harman – accordion
J. Chovanec – accordion
V. Kubáň – contrabass, chordophone
P. Marcinko – bagpipe, pipes
R. Egreši – percussions
A. Smetanka – percussions
E. Fertál – percussions
Particularly characteristic for KarpaTon is the exclusive acoustic expression, irreplaceable due to the variable use of numerous ethnic musical instruments originating in regions from the Carpathians through Eurasia to the musical armamentarium of world exotic cultures. Compositions, edits, and improvisations in performances have roots in the traditional Carpathian songs, mostly Slovak and Ruthenian ones. Another characteristic is the exclusive use of native, traditional lyrics reproduced in a new, unconventional way. Despite the sound and instrumental variety in KarpaTon music interpretation, the signature of Slovak and Carpathian tradition is always clearly identifiable.
Numerous outstanding musicians were, and still are, collaborating with project KarpaTon either as long-term members or guest musicians: B. Fecková, A. Nacher, Z. Antošová, J. Majer Vavreková, L. Bujňáková, M. Olejníková, M. Szabóová, M. Mišendová, R. Pajorková, I. Feníková, E. Halčínová, A. Bachledová, M. Styczinski, M. Harna, S. Baláž, J. Franek, J. Hrušovský, M. Germuška, P. Germuška, P. Marcinko, E. Fertál, R. Egreši, P. Pavličko, M. Muller, J. Chovanec, Š. Mačejovský, A. Smetanka, E. Drelich, P. Pavlík, M. Lizak, M. Reznický, M. Janigloš, and others.
Fundamental members of KarpaTon Concert tour 2018:
I. Feníková – vocals
M. Smetanka – multi-instrumentalist, vocals
S. Harman – accordion
J. Chovanec – accordion
V. Kubáň – contrabass, chordophone
P. Marcinko – bagpipe, pipes
R. Egreši – percussions
A. Smetanka – percussions
E. Fertál – percussions
