Romanian/Transylvanian/Hungarian music in the public domain?

[Runa27]

Hello everyone.

I'm working on a radio play that's set in Transylvania. I would like to include music that would capture the feel of it, but of course, would want to do things legally.

Now, things in the "public domain"... that means that no one owns copyright anymore. Either they gave up their copyright willingly, or it is very, very old and/or has an unknown author (like folk music - which would actually be a nice option, folk music, because it's in an old-time type setting... nonspecific and in an alternate universe since it's fantasy, but fairly "old-fashioned", I would say).

So, does anyone know of any Romanian (especially Transylvanian) or Hungarian music in the public domain?

I'm looking for recordings if I can get them (even MIDI will do in a pinch), or sheet music that I can do on the piano or, if that's not possible, a guitar (I'm MUCH better on piano Plus, my keyboard has a recording feature that you can use to record to the computer. But I could probably figure it out on guitar if I absolutley had to, or make it into piano sheet music based on that). A copy of sheet music AND a MIDI would be best if I cannot have any public domain recordings of the song (since specific renditions are copyright of the person who did them until a certain point), since I can more easily figure out how to play it if I know the tune and proper tempo from hearing the song.

If you could offer other public domain music that is similar, that would probably also be helpful, but I primarily would want authentically Romanian or Hungarian pieces.

Any help whatsoever would be greatly appreciated!


-Runa27

[didine]

Let's hope Iubito comes here and sees your message! Otherwise you can send him a private message.

[Olivier]

I'm looking for recordings if I can get them (even MIDI will do in a pinch), or sheet music that I can do on the piano or, if that's not possible, a guitar

Have a look at this home page in Slovakia, it gives good quality Midi files of Hungarian folk dances from different areas including many in Romania.
See also the huge collection of old recordings of Transylvanian folk songs and dances "Utolsó óra" (= last hour [before it is lost]).
There is also a collection of well-known Hungarian boy scout songs, all of them traditional songs, on this page.
Then if you are looking for the text of some traditional Hungarian song, see the page of the "Folklór" mailing list, and also this "daloskönyv" (=songbook).
-- Olivier