Concert of band "Sutaras", Riga,
16 March 2003

      Such things does not happens frequently. The spring sun in colourful stained glasses of the Small Guild hall and five musicians playing so good, that legs begin to dance themselfs. We are so accustomed to the low, amateur level of folklore performaces, that meeting with skilful musicians seems a miracle.
      Lithuanian folk band Sutaras is fifteen years old, all participants are professional musicians, i.e., have musical education and earn money by music. All of them perfectly plays several instruments.

Sutaras

      The program of the concert was various - from sutartins until romances. Sounded psalteries, skuduchai, pipes, clarinet, tuba, squeeze-box, violin, spoons and many other instruments. Between items different histories - both ridiculous and serious - were told. The performers completely "owned" attention of spectators for mostly one and half hour, not giving to be bored.

Sutaras

      The Sunday's concert was final in bands' performances in Latvia. Two previous days were sated enough to tire the musicians, but they and their costumes were fresh as new, and leader's Anthony's Fok's muffler looked like a flower. Sutarians plays by all the body - hands, legs, lips, eyes, noses and beards, expressing zeal and pleasure of playing, they was not afraid to have a look in spectators eyes, and was involved spectators in their performance, doing it not obtrusive. Certainly, not all was ideal: some false notes, "strike" of straw pipe - but it was not important. The common impression was so good, that some roughnesses, transformed in jokes, only added a simplicity and cheerfulness to the performance.

      Article: Ieva Bērziņa, 17 March 2003
      Photos: Ansis Ataols Bērziņš