Summary
Meet Si-auzi Mandruto/Zau!Zau!Zau! — a joyful dip into Romania’s Interwar Period, presented here in our Interwar Period catalog, AM 1040. This two-sided captures the sparkle of café-concert Bucharest and the finesse of Corul Societății Carmen, conducted by Maestrul Chirescu, with a featured bass voice from George Folescu. Expect charming melodies, witty refrains, and that unmistakable old-world glow that turns a quick listen into a full evening.

About the Artist
Corul Societății Carmen was one of Romania’s most respected choral institutions in the first half of the 20th century. The society’s founder and president, D. G. Kiriac (often credited as Kiriac-Georgescu), championed Romanian vocal traditions and raised performance standards across the country. Under maestros like Chirescu, the Carmen choir bridged concert-hall rigor and popular appeal, singing everything from folk-inspired gems to refined choral miniatures.

George Folescu (credited here as “Bas”) brings a rich, resonant foundation and a storyteller’s flair. His voice adds theater to the text: playful when the lyrics wink, grounded when the melody leans traditional. The pairing of a seasoned choir with a characterful bass soloist is very Interwar Romania—equal parts salon elegance and street-smart charm.

About the Record
Si-auzi Mandruto/Zau!Zau!Zau! feels like a snapshot of city nights between the wars: dance rhythms, folk touches, and chorus-and-solo interplay. The themes run on courtship, teasing, and conversational back-and-forth, all delivered with a wink. Compared with the Carmen choir’s concert pieces, these sides are lighter on the feet, more café than cathedral, but still impeccably sung. That’s the magic: serious vocal craft, unserious on purpose.

For collectors and new listeners alike, this record stands as a lively counterpoint to the era’s solemn repertoire. It’s an audible postcard from a time when Romanian urban music soaked up folk idioms, European dance trends, and local humor, then fed them back through top-tier voices.

This is the only record in the market so far—a choir in Romanian with a Speed of 78.

About the Cover
Interwar-themed releases often lean on archival aesthetics, and AM 1040 keeps the focus on period authenticity: clear titling, session credits up front, and a clean, collector-friendly layout. The sleeve design nods to old label art and program notes, keeping the storytelling simple so the music can do the talking. It looks like history, but it plays beautifully in a modern setup.

About the Lyrics & Music
Si-auzi, Mandruto

Title translation lands near “Listen up, sweetheart,” which sets the tone: affectionate, a little teasing, and very direct.
Expect a flowing melody shaped by folk inflections—ornaments on the line, a modal lean, and phrases that invite call-and-response.
The choir frames Folescu’s bass like a friendly crowd chiming in—refrains bloom, then tuck away to let the solo voice narrate.
Rhythms suggest a gentle dance step rather than a showy sprint, letting the words carry the charm.
Zau! Zau! Zau!

“Zău” is a Romanian exclamation—think “Honestly!” or “Really!”—and the triple repeat makes it a hook you can’t forget.
The writing favors crisp refrains and punchy entries, ideal for a choir to accent the joke and keep the energy high.
Folescu’s bass adds comic weight; you can almost see the eyebrow raise between lines.
Harmonies are bright, the groove nimble, and the ending likely lands with a grin.
Across both tracks, the production DNA is classic interwar: catchy motifs, clean choral voicings, and a balance that spotlights text without smothering it. Originally captured to 78 rpm shellac, performances from this era typically prioritize clarity in the midrange and tight ensemble blend—qualities that translate wonderfully to a careful vinyl transfer.

Conclusion
Si-auzi Mandruto/Zau!Zau!Zau! is short, sweet, and sneakily sophisticated. It’s a masterclass in making light music feel luxurious—thanks to a top-tier choir, a charismatic bass soloist, and writing that keeps melody and wit in perfect step. If you love Eastern European vocal traditions, interwar dance flavors, or the charm of shellac-era songcraft, AM 1040 belongs on your turntable.

Other Recommendations
If this record hits the spot, you might also enjoy:

More from Corul Societății Carmen: look for other interwar-era sides associated with the society and D. G. Kiriac’s legacy in choral music.
Jean Moscopol: urbane interwar favorites with café-concert swagger.
Cristian Vasile: tango-tinged Romanian classics with velvet crooner vibes.
Zavaidoc: lăutar-rooted songs that blend folk feeling with big-city flair.
Maria Tănase (later but essential): definitive interpretations of Romanian traditional repertoire; archival and reissue compilations abound.
Electrecord-era anthologies of Interwar Romanian songs: great gateways into the sound-world this single inhabits.
Notes for collectors and audiophiles

Era: Interwar Period (curated in our AM 1040 series).
Provenance: From historic 78 rpm material; you get the warmth of period performance with the convenience of modern vinyl.
Playback: These sides shine with a neutral cartridge and a touch of gain—let the mids breathe and the choir shimmer.
Final word: Two tracks, countless smiles. Spin it once and you’ll hear why these songs still feel fresh—because style and sincerity never go out of fashion.