Maria Tănase ‎– Ciuleandra

Maria Tănase ( 25 September 1913 – 22 June 1963) was a celebrated Romanian singer and actress. Her music ranged from traditional Romanian music to romance, tango, chanson and operetta.

Maria Tănase has a similar importance in Romania to that of Édith Piaf in France or Amália Rodrigues in Portugal.
In her nearly three-decade-long career, she became widely regarded as Romania's national diva, being admired for her originality, voice, physical beauty and charisma. In Romania, she is still regarded as a major cultural icon of the 20th century.

Born in Bucharest suburb of Cărămidarii de Jos, or Cărămidari, Maria Tănase attended Primary School number 11 from Tăbăcari. Her father, Ion Coanda Tănase, was a master gardener and a florist, also owner of a big nursery on the outskirts of Bucharest, which employed female workers from different various regions of Romania. These women, in turn, would share traditional folk songs and tales which deeply enthralled little Maria, which was to leave a permanent mark on her.
She made her stage debut in Cărămidarii de Jos, at the "Ion Heliade Rădulescu" High School. In 1934, she joined the "Cărăbuş" Theatre of Constantin Tănase with the help and advice of newspaper writer Sandu Eliad, who, at that time was her partner. Her real debut took place on June 2, 1937 with the stage name Mary Atanasiu in the musical hall theatres, Alhambra and Gioconda. Shortly after, she started to develop a local and international following. She represented Romania at the International Exhibition in Paris in 1937, as well as at the 1939 New York World's Fair. On February 20, 1938 her voice was heard for the first time on the radio. In that year, she made her first recordings for the Romanian Radio Society, which contributed to her fame. Unfortunately, these early recordings are said to have been destroyed by the "authorities" during the first months of the National Legionary State, the time when Maria Tănase was also banned from performing in public.
During World War II, together with George Enescu, George Vraca and Constantin Tănase, she was making stage tours singing in front of soldiers injured on the battlefield. In December 1943, she sang at the Christmas festivities at the Royal Cavalry Regiment, where King Michael I of Romania, Ion Antonescu, Mihai Antonescu and all the members of the government were present as guests. In 1944 Maria Tănase took time to sing in Edmond Audran's operetta "Mascota" (The Mascot).

After World War II, she performed in Review Ensemble Theatre and "Constantin Tănase" Satirical and Musical Theatre. She had parts in the plays "The Living Corpse" by Leo Tolstoy in 1945, and "Horia" by Mihai Davidoglu in 1956. In 1946 she held the main part in the musical comedy "The Hollywood Sphinx", by Ralph Benatzky. She sang in the movie "Romania" in 1947, and in 1958 she performed in both "Ciulinii Bărăganului" (The Thistles of the Bărăgan), and the short-reel film "Amintiri din Bucureşti" (Memories from Bucharest). During these years Maria was also touring a lot, she had over forty trips only to New York City.
In 1952, Maria Tănase was offered a position at the Music School No. 1 in Bucharest, in the newly created traditional folk song department; 1962 found her guiding "Taraful Gorjului" (The Gorj Folk Music Band) in Târgu Jiu and the artists from "taraf", at her own request.
On May 1, 1963, after a concert in Hunedoara, she was forced to cancel her tour and any other performances due to sickness. On June 22, 1963, she died of cancer. She was buried at the Bellu cemetery in Bucharest, Romania.

Tracklist

1	Pe Vale, Tato, Pe Vale (In The Valley, My Love, In The Valley)	2:12
2	Marie, Si Marioara (Mary, Sweet Mary)	2:27
3	Frica Mi-e Ca Mor Ca Maine (I Am Frightened Of Death)	4:09
4	Ciuleandra	3:16
5	Trenule, Masina Mica (Train, Little Train)	3:38
6	Maine Toti Recrutii Pleaca (Tomorrow The Recruits Are Leaving)	4:11
7	Asta Iarna Era Iarna (This Was A Winter And A Half)	3:12
8	Doina Din Maramures (Doina From Maramuresh)	4:01
9	Uhai, Bade (Hey Lover!)	2:12
10	Butelcuta Mea (My Little Wine Bottle)	1:31
11	Mai Gheorghita, Und-te Duci? (Hey Gheorgita, Where Are You Going?)	3:07
12	Tulnicul (Alpenhorn)	2:36
13	Agurida (Sour Grapes)	4:27
14	Asta Noapte Te-am Visat (Last Night I Dreamt Of You)	3:06
15	Eu Pe Badea-am Intrebat (I Asked My Lover)	2:27
16	Aseara Ti-am Luat Basma (Yesterday I Bought You A Headscarf)	3:09
17	Bade, Din Dragostea Noastra (Oh Lover, Our Love)	4:02
18	Paraus, Apa Vioara (Little Stream, Violin Creek)	3:43
19	Toderel	2:36
20	As Ofta Sa-mi Iasa Focul (Pain Of Love, Burning Fire)	3:02
21	Valeleu (Oh My!)	1:50

Maria Tănase ‎– Ciuleandra                                   
(256 kbps, cover art included)