Lucian Ban and Mat Maneri: TRANSYLVANIAN DANCE
Barbès376 9th St, New York 11215
Lucian Ban and Mat Maneri bring Transylvanian Dance to Barbès as a piano-and-viola duo. The project reworks folk songs and dances collected in Transylvania by Béla Bartók, using the original melodies as material for arrangements and improvisation.
Ban, a Romanian-born pianist raised in Teaca, Transylvania, and Brooklyn violist Maneri have previously collaborated on Transylvanian Concert and Transylvanian Folk Songs. The Financial Times praised “the intricate weave of Mat Maneri’s raspy viola and Lucian Ban’s full-bodied piano,” while The Guardian found “original voice and unorthodox beauty” in their earlier work.
Barbès offers a compact, warmly worn space where the music feels immediate and close, with a long wooden bar and a back room under a scarlet ceiling that hosts nightly performances. The venue champions a broad spectrum of global sounds, from Balkan brass and klezmer to Afrobeat and experimental jazz, often featuring residencies like the Slavic Soul Party. The audience gathers around small tables or at the bar, sharing drinks crafted with a nod to French spirits, while the music invites attentive listening rather than loud conversation. Shows usually have a suggested donation instead of a cover charge, creating a welcoming environment where the focus is on the artists. The venue’s commitment to accessibility and its role in Brooklyn’s cultural fabric make it a distinctive spot for an evening of richly diverse live music.