Toni Iordache

Romani Romanian cimbalom (țambal) player, nowadays known as the “Godfather of the cimbalom”.
Born December 17, 1942 in the village of Bâldana, about 40 km northwest of Bucharest.
Passed away due to complications of diabetes in Bucharest, February 1988
Father of cimbalom player Leonard Iordache. Grandson [a=Bogdan Iordache] was also studying the instrument but died in a highway car accident in July 2011.
Brother of [a=Mieluță Iordache].

Toni was born in a family of renowned fiddlers. His father played the cimbalom as well. At the age of 4, Toni started playing the small (portable) țambal mic. His quite uncommon talent was soon recognized, and he studied under Mitică Ciuciu to further improve his skills. At the age of 12 he won his first competition and was employed by the Romanian Radio and Television Orchestra. From 1960-1969 he joins the prestigious state ensemble Orchestra Ciocîrlia, taking him on tours outside Romania. In 1969 pan pipes virtuoso Gheorghe Zamfir left Ciocîrlia to form his own small ensemble ('taraf') (Orchestra Gheorghe Zamfir) and Toni accompanied him, which brought him worldwide fame. Next to his performances all over Europe, the USA and Asia, he kept performing on weddings in Romania, too.

During his career, he developed his own unique style, combining both incredible speed and great refinement. At a concert in Paris in 1975 he was measured an almost unbelievable speed of 25 strokes per second, which earned him a place in the Guiness Book Of Records.
Toni performed and recorded together with many famous Romanian musicians and vocalists of his time, amongst others: Gheorghe Zamfir, Gabi Luncă, Ion Onoriu, Romica Puceanu, Costel Vasilescu, Dona Dumitru Siminică, Ion Lăceanu, Alexandru Țitruș, Ion Petre Stoican, Mioara Lincan, Cătălin Tîrcolea, Nicolae Onilă.
After one of his gigs, the famous Romanian conductor Sergiu Celibidache told him that he truly was a phenomenal instrumentalist.
In 1985 Toni Iordache became seriously ill with diabetes. The doctors recommended to have his leg amputated, but the operation did not save his life. He died in February 1988 (although some online sources claim it was in 1987).