The most simplistic way to describe a cimbalom is to think of a grand piano with its lid taken off and cut down in size to a large almost perfect square. Then picture this being played by striking the various strings with cloth headed mallets. When struck it sounds like a cross between a piano and a tightly strung stringed instrument being played by hitting the strings with your finger instead of plucking them.

At its most basic it can be used as a tuneful percussion instrument, hammering out a melody at the same time as it maintains the beat. However, in the hands of an expert like Iordache it turns into something far more sophisticated; it can become the lead instrument, akin to a piano or violin. In that role, it can lend support to a vocalist, be the central force in an ensemble, or be used for solo performances.

On Sounds From A Bygone Age: Volume 4 we hear Toni performing in all those capacities. The first thing you notice about him is his speed; supposedly, he was able to play at an amazing speed of 25 beats per second without ever miss-hitting a single note. The second thing that stands out about his playing is his amazing ability for nuance and subtlety.

It's one thing to be able to play with blazing speed, and that's no minor thing, but it's another thing all together to be able to play so well that you are credited with changing the way the instrument is played. On some of the more delicate pieces on the CD, his playing never overstates or overwhelms, as he softly coaxes sound from the gently massaged strings of his cimbalom. His dexterity and control are such that it feels like he could convince the strings to cry with joy one second and sing laments the next.

Since Iordache was in such demand as a player during his life time the f14 tracks on this CD feature some of the best and brightest of the Romanian gypsy music community. This is especially true of the vocalists who make appearances on the CD. Romica Puceannu is the most often featured on the disk and his duets with the cimbalom are things of beauty and passion.

Toni Iordache died in 1988, from complications due to diabetes. Two hours after having his leg amputated in surgery he died in the recovery room. His health hadn't been helped by having to spend a year in jail for possession of foreign currency. When he was released from prison, it was obvious that he would not have much time before he was lost to the world.

In preparation for that eventuality he taught his son and his grandson his arrangements and his techniques. Today if you were to go to Bucharest, you could find his son and grandson playing the music of their elder and keeping the heritage of Toni Iordache alive.
Toni Iordache played gypsy music that resonated with the passion and intensity that we identify as the hallmarks of the genre. We may all have our own reasons for appreciating gypsy music, but there can be no disagreement when it comes to the superlative playing of Mr. Iordache.