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Songs and Dances of the Basque (Euzkadi) on CD

Juan Onatibia performs songs from the Basque region. Most of the songs are forms of traditional dances such as the Aurresku (courting dance) and the Ezpata (sword dance). The songs are mostly performed with no singing on the txistu (a flute) and the tun-tun (small drum) which "constitute the Basque Orchestra. Both instruments are played by the same interpreter known as txistulari, forming a one-man band." the album also includes several sung songs (with no accompanying instruments) about animals, work and so on. Onatibia introduces history of Basque music in the liner notes.