Maria Petca Poptean

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

I wonder how many singers of the musical Romanian folklore had their début in their teenage years on the most rigorous genius combat stage – The National Festival “Maria Tanase”, also obtained a prize.

Here is how the great ethno-folklorist Harry Brauner wrote in vol. “To hear the grass growing”, Ed. Eminescu, Buc. 1979, the luminous and most impressive presence of Maria Petca (the one born and lived through her voice, dance and traditional singing cheers in the Tarsolt of Oas), on the third edition of the above mentioned festival.

Along with Pitigoi Brothers, together with whom she makes a perfect artistic couple – as messenger of the song from Oas – she is present in all the cultural - artistic manifestations from the city and in the official shows organized in the capital city, held on special occasions, in folklore festivals from the country and from abroad.

Maria Petca brings – as an interpreter – the traditional singing to its perfection. Her silky voice exalting from the force it is needed to make the high tones, and it gives her interpreting an unique value, in a melodic species – the traditional cheer singing from Oas – being itself unique. Genuine “phonoteque” of the genre, Maria Petca knows the old cheers – so unique for their texts but also for their melodic line, as well as new life cheers, part of which she created herself, having the poetic gift by her side. She is the lading member of the folkloric ensemble “Oasul”, as well as of the vocal instrumental group of the City Culture House from Negresti-Oas, also prize winner of Marii Cantate. Unforgettable in the audience’s conscience are the shows from years ago, at the weddings from Oas, shows in which Maria Petca was absolutely stunning in the role of the bride, shining and dancing in the same time, in the band of folk dances. Her dignified scenic posture, her physical beauty, were completing her musical - choreographic qualities, always emphasized by a superb folk costume from Oas. Afterwards, Maria was joined by her sisters Irina, Ana and Maricica as singers, with whom she also appeared in a Television program.

With her characteristic discretion and modesty, Maria Petca kept us from knowing that she had other melodic folk values, virtues that we have discovered by chance. And so, the audience discovered through Maria Petca, moving carols, at the winter laic folk custom spectacles. We also owe her for bringing forth again a few folk ballads of great beauty (in which she made use of the silky vibration of her voice, in the stunning tremolos), genre in which, Maria Petca also won the big prize of the National Festival “Cantarea Romaniei”. Her new role of mother (married Poptean) made her introduce in her repertoire, lullabies that she interprets with the warmth and the vibrant sensibility that characterize her.

From the discography of Mrs. Maria Petca Poptean we mention her last two albums.

Catu-i Tara Oasului

Dant osenesc - Instrumental Nu m-o facut mama mea Maica câti prunci ai avut Catu-i tara oasului Bine-i tânar si holtei Doamne nu-ma bate rau Tâpuresc si-mi pare bine Cântec de leagan Bata-va norocul fete Dantu gainii Dant osenesc - Instrumental Hai mandrule pana-n dâmb Astazi doamne bine mi-i Casa asta nu-i batuta Cararuse de sub dâmb Frunza verde doi bujori Mândrul meu îi nealcos tare Nu-i bai, mândrut dipt-ace Pentru ochii mândrului Greu-i Domne-ntre straini

Unde tropote Osanu

Frunza verde mar acrut Când eram nevasta noua Greu-i sa traiesti în lume La Sambra la Huta-n deal Mai mândrut cu strut tomnit Hai mândrut la Racsa-n dâmb Cu barbatu bautor Am un mândrut dus în lume Mi-o dat maicuta galasu Unde tropote Osanu Mai cucule mândru cânt Draga mi-i mie lumea Sa traiasca socru mare La claca torturilor Miresuica cu cununa Amara strainatate