I Still Believe in Magic - Sanda Weigl Sings Maria Tănase

With its breakthrough technology exhibitions and imposing country pavilions, the 1939 New York World's Fair was arguably the greatest show on earth. One of the stars of the Romanian program was a beautiful, assertive young singer who would later achieve immortal status. Maria Tănase took New Yorkers by storm and made the country pavilion, erected in the Romanian neo-Byzantine style, one of the most popular gathering points in the temporary town sprawling in Flushing, Queens. Decades after the Fair and Maria’s presence have long faded into oblivion, we conjure the great singer’s mesmerizing presence and replay the encounter between a fantastic artist and a fantastic city. 

To mark the Romanian National Culture Day on January 15th, we are pleased to present the premiere of an original music video, produced by RCI New York, featuring internationally-acclaimed Romanian-born vocalist Sanda Weigl and the illustrious Japanese-American ensemble made up of Shoko Nagai, Satoshi Takeishi and Stomu Takeishi, who are reclaiming the memory of the legendary performer through some of her unforgettable songs, with a stunning jazz-inflected, modern interpretation. 

As one of Maria Tănase’s songs goes: No matter what they say / We still believe in magic!

Watch on our Facebook, YouTube, IGTV & website, as well as on the Facebook page of the Romanian Embassy to the United States, on Saturday, January 15 @ 2 p.m. EST or anytime later!

I STILL BELIEVE IN MAGIC: SANDA WEIGL SINGS MARIA TĂNASE

A music video by Alex Boda and Johnny Vacar

Performed by Sanda Weigl (voice)

With: Shoko Nagai (piano, accordion), Stomu Takeishi (bass guitar), Satoshi Takeishi (percussion)

Written and directed by Alex Boda

Filmed and edited by Johnny Vacar

Sound recorded and edited by Johnny Vacar

English version of the songs by Andreea Iulia Scridon 

Project manager: Raluca Cimpoiașu

Logistics and transportation: Gabriel Cimpoiașu

An original production of the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York

January 2022