From the opening notes of
Music of Serbia and Montenegro, it's clear that this collection of performers from within and around the University of Belgrade is going to be dishing out some high-energy music. The opening dance numbers are reminiscent of Eastern European klezmer in many respects, with doubled lines on dual violins, occasionally clashing in fits of counterpoint. A pair of accordions provides the other side of the melodies, often taking over from the violins for a spell, only to run back into them soon after for runs of parallel lines. The music on the whole is somewhat more subdued than much of the output from the gypsy craze, but carries some of the same aesthetics. For the most part, this music is less frenzied than most gypsy music, and with more sophisticated scores. ~ Adam Greenberg