Beyond the Mystery

Village Music of Bulgaria

Field recordings by Yves Moreau

recorded in Bulgaria 1966-1972

 Volume 3 - Shopluk & Pirin

BMA Productions: BMA-1003

 This is the third and last in a collection of 3 CDs featuring instrumental and vocal village music from all ethnographic regions of Bulgaria. Vol. 1 (Rhodopes & Thrace), and Vol. 2 (Severnyashko & Dobrudzha) are already available. These CDs are unique and feature traditional instruments, male and female vocal styles, dance tunes, rituals, minority groups, etc. Yves selected his favorite material from more than 100 hours of recordings made in Bulgarian villages and towns during his many trips to Bulgaria in the period between 1966 and 1972. Many of the performers are no longer alive. This collection offers a refreshing new choice of repertoire after the influx in recent years of dozens of recordings of professional Bulgarian women's choirs with their "mysterious" and "magic" attributes... CD comes with descriptive booklet written by Yves Moreau. 

Volume 3 includes - Sopluk region: 1. Kopanica (listen to MP3 sample); 2. Gâlab guka & Dva se mlade zaljubile (listen to MP3 sample) ; 3. Sitno Horo; 4. Pojde Dojna; 5. Koleduvane; 6. Jove, Râcenica & Cetvorno Horo; 7. Pojdoh po pato & Mori dve sa mome; 8. Majka Jana nadaleko dava; 9. Lazaruvane; 10. Nevenki pletenki; 11. Pravo Sopsko Horo; Pirin region: 12. Cesto Horo, Drama Sirto & Deninka; 13. Jubava e Pirin planina; 14. Pesen za Goce Delcev & Zapali kito borina; 15. Culi sa se male; 16. Aber mi dojde; 17. Sandansko Horo (listen to MP3 sample); 18. Provikna se ludo mlado; 19. Igrali babi & Dojdi dojdi libe; 20. Stojane mori Stojane; 21. Krivo Petricko Horo; 22. More mnogo na daleko & Pesen za Selim; 23. Svadbarsko Oro. Total time: 68:51

Beyond the Mystery Vol. 2

Volume 2: Severnyashko (North Bulgaria) & Dobrudzha / BMA productions BMA-1002

Beyond the Mystery Vol. 1

Volume 1: Rhodopes & Thrace / BMA productions BMA-1001 

This is the FIRST in a collection of 3 CDs featuring instrumental and vocal village music from all ethnographic regions of Bulgaria. This album features some fine bagpipe (kaba gajda) players from the Rhodopes (including a group of 100 pipers playing at the Rozhen Festival). Also some excellent singers such as Valja Balkanska and Feim Dzhigov. The Thracian pieces are from both West and East Thrace with good dance tunes played by modern and bitov folk orchestras.: Racenica, Bucimis, Dzhinovsko and Trite Pati etc.

VOLUME 1 includes: Rhodope region: 1. Bela sâm bela junace; 2.Râcenica (listen to MP3 sample); 3. Ne faljam ti sa, junace; 4. Da znajes majco; 5. Minka; 6. Prehvrâknalo e pilence; 7. Goro le goro zeleno; 8. Fatmice mari hubava; 9. Svornato; 10. Pospusni sa, Sar planino; 11. Izlel e Delju Hajdutin; 12. Sarena gajda; 13. Pesen za Petko vojvoda; 14. Sto gajdi; Thrace: 15. Bavna & svadbarska râcenica; 16. Sânuvale Nedo (listen to MP3 sample); 17. Bucimis; 18. Tace Ginka platno; 19. Snosti vecer; 20. Bavna & Stankinoto lice; 21. Sâbrali sa, nabrali; 22. Da znajes mamo, da znajes; 23. Late le, mamina; 24. Pravo Trakijsko; 25. Dzinovsko; 26. Trite Pâti.

Imported CDs from Bulgaria

We carry several Bulgarian folk music CDs produced by GEGA NEW of Sofia. We feel that this label currently features some of the best folk recorded folk music with instrumentalists and singers from various parts of the country. Most CDs are digital recordings (DDD) and include detailed booklet notes in English. Folk music editor is Liliana Hristozova, who for more than twenty years has supervised recordings at Balkanton. Yves has selected some of the more interesting CDs (accent is mostly on more traditional repertoire and style) and has added below his own personal comments and recommendations. Selections in red are Yves' favorites!

NEW RELEASES! - Just in from Bulgaria

The third CD in the folk instruments series is dedicated to the gajda (bagpipe). This CD features 17 tracks of traditional Bulgarian melodies played by master pipers from different regions of Bulgaria, including: Georgi Mussorliev, Kostadin Varimezov, Georgi Doichev, Peicho Peev, Dimitar Chupetlovski, Nikola Atanassov, etc. There are some seldom-heard recordings from the archives of the Bulgarian Radio and some specially recorded for GegaNew under the supervision of folk music editor Lili Hristozova. There are detailed notes on the history of the Bulgarian gajda written by Prof. Manol Todorov. There are rare examples from N.W. Bulgaria and even a track with a double-chanter gajda from the Varna region. Most tracks festure solo gajda players accompanied by tapan or small orchestra including several good "danceable" tunes. Released in May 2004.

1. Medley of Rhodope songs (Slow+2/4); 2. Duma sa duma ot stari lyude (with singers)(2/4); 3. Shepherd's song, Svornato (9/8) and Pravo Horo (2/4); 4. Bouenek (2/4); 5. In the Village Square (Slow +2/4); 6. Spring Horo-Filetsi (2/4); 7. Na borba - a melody from Karnobat region (3/4); 8. Gergeliiskata (2/4); 9. Macedonian Rhythms (7/8); 10.Pravo Shopsko Horo (2/4); 11. Shoppe Racenica (7/8); 12. Melodies from Koula (2/4); 13.Izruchanka (2/4) & Potter's Horo (9/8); 14. Light wedding horo and Horo Bibichi (2/4); 15. Slow melody and Rachenitsa; 16. Leading out the bride and Trite Pati (Slow + 2/4). 17. Danets.

An original member of the Trio Bulgarka-Penev (GD171), Snejanka Borissova was also a soloist with the Filip Kutev Choir and she sand with a Bulgarian quartet for Goran Bregovic's soundtrack of the movie "Underground". Born in the village of Lozen, she has a clear and strong voice. The songs featured on this album are all traditional with some nice instrumental arrangements by Bojan Nankov, Kosta Kolev, Hristofor Radanov and Georgi Andreev. The 27 selections (!) are quite varied from typical dance rhythms to moving slow "Krali Marko" epic ballads. Very faithful to traditional style. A nice addition to your Bulgarian CD collection. Released in May 2004.

1. Raztsufte se bela Ruzha (7/8); 2. Po pole odime (5/8); 3. Sekoi fali Milya Zagoryanka (slow song); 4. Oi shoppe, shoppe (7/8); 5. Nishna se zvezda (slow song); 6. Premenila se Vassila (11/8); 7. Yano, zashto si rano begala (slow song); 8. Poide Gera (11/8); 9. Lilyano, ranobudnitse (2/4); 10.Omraknala moma (2/4-Graovsko) 11. Ima, nema (5/8); 12. Ai, mari, raztsufte se (slow); 13.Zaigrala Dena (7+11); 14. Razsardila se Dimana (11/8); 15. Sednali sa mi dva svata (5/8); 16. Nema ima tsurni ochi (slow). 17. Zakukala kukuvitsa (2/4); 18. Slantseto treperi (2/4); 19. Naramila bela Deka (2/4-Graovsko); 20. Oj Gine, Gine (7/8-Cetvorno); 21. Maika Yana nadaleko dava (slow); 22. Gyuro pleni zemya armanashka (2/4); 23. Otishlo e ludo mlado (7/8); 24. Gramnalo, tresnalo (5/8); 25. Sokol mi litna, Yano (2/4); 26. Mori maykia Yana sitno plela (slow-a capella); 27. Chichovite konye (2/4).

Milen Slavov is a young Bulgarian musician and composer born in Stara Zagora. He studied at the famous Filip Kutev Music School in Kotel and has performed with many groups and artists. His wife Zhivka Papancheva is a professional folk singer from the Strandzha region. Together with their children, they currently live in Portland, Oregon (USA) where they are active in various cultural and educational events and projects. Milen is a fine accordion player and arranger and also plays tambura. This excellent album presents almost exclusively traditional music played by various master instrumentalists: Ljuben Dossev (kaval), Teodor Dimitrov (gadulka) and Petyo Kostadinov (gajda) and Milen Slavov (accordion). All play solo pieces or accompany Zhivka Papancheva singing well-known folk songs from Eastern Bulgaria. Ms. Papancheva has a strong and crystal clear voice which fully masters the intricacies of Strandzha and Thracian songs with their particular vibratos and timbres. This is a delightful album reminding us of the early A.L. Loyd collections of the 1950's. A pleasant surprise with such great classic songs as: Dimcho le gajdardzhiche, Prez gora vurvjaha, Panju Pashata (for the dance Madroto), Kulibare, etc. Each melody is clear and played at a nice tempo making it ideal for people learning to play bitov instruments or Bulgarian singing. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ! Milen Slavov's website is at: http://milen.msmusicagency.com/ Released in May 2004.

1. Petur kulelo djalashe (Pravo-accordion & voice); 2. Kulibare -solo gajda(2/4); 3. Ginkinata - solo kaval (9/8); 4. U nedini ravni dvori -solo gadulka (5/8); 5. Snoshti sum male sidjala - voice & gadulka (5/8); 6. Dimcho, le gaydardzhiche le - solo voice (2/4); 7. Sitno hodi, Nedo - solo gajda (11/8); 8. Stanka na dvori sedeshe - solo gadulka (2/4); 9. Prez gora vurvjaha - solo voice ; 10.Pustono ludo i mlado - solo kaval (2/4) . 11. Selo, selo - solo gadulka (7/8); 12. Panju Pashata -voice and gajda (7/8); 13. Ginkinata - solo voice (9/8); 14. Bjala Stana (7/8) - solo gajda; 15. Proviknal se Deli Dimo - solo gadulka (11/8); 16. Kulibare - voice and kaval (2/4). 17. Kitka ot dve pesni - solo gadulka (2/4 & 7/8); 18. Ja kazhi, kazhi, Kalino - solo gajda (9/8); 19. Dimu si varka konetu - solo voice (2/4); 20. Vurvi mi, konche - voice and gajda (2/4); 21. Baino mi sa, ljube le, pozakani - solo kaval (5/8); 22. Bulku Elenku - solo gadulka (2/4); 23. Zasvirili sa dor tri mi gaidi - voice and accordion (7/8).

Other titles

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN BULGARIA - Demku Kurtov's zourna group - GEGANew GD 276

GEGA New has just launched a new series on Bulgarian traditional musical instruments (bitovi instrumenti) and famous performers on particular instruments. The first CD in the series offers seldom heard zurna music from the region of Petrich in the Pirin mountains. The Kurtov (Kurtas) family of Roma zurna players is legendary in Bulgaria and this CD presents 16 typical selections including some of the best-known dance melodies in the area: Bojna, Ginka, Ispajce, Kavrak Horo, Russali melodies etc. There are also a few wonderful table songs and even a Kjucek, a Gankino and a Graovsko Horo. A wonderful project supervised by Gega Folk Music editor Lili Hristozova. Recorded in the village of Karnalovo near Petrich, October 2001. Released in November 2002.

1. Russalijski Melodii (2/4) ; 2. Bojna (Slow + 11/8); 3. Ginka (7/8); 4. Kasapsko Horo (2/4); 5. Gjures Avasi (slow + 2/4); 6. Gajda Avasi (2/4); 7. Ispajce (12/8); 8. Kavrak Eleno (9/8); 9. Eski Mangossar (Slow + 2/4); 10. Na trapeza (table song); 11. Fast Ciftetelli (2/4); 12. Makedonsko Bavno Horo (2/4); 13. Dzhumajska Trapeza (table song); 14. Makedonska gajda (Slow + 2/4 + 7/8); 15. Gankino Horo (11/8); 16. Graovsko-Gergana (2/4).

The second CD in the folk instruments series is dedicated to the tambura and the entire album features one of its most famous Bulgarian exponents, Rumen Sirakov. Sirakov has been featured on so many Balkanton vinyls since the 1960's. He excels especially in the fast fingered dance tunes of the Shope Region. Many of the tunes presented here are classics from the Radio Sofia archives: Didinata, Chetvorno Horo and Blateshnichka Kopanica (from his native village). Sveral tunes are backed up by large radio orchestras directed by such arrangers as Kosta Kolev, Emil Kolev and Nikolaj Kaufman. There are also a few "new" tunes with small orchestra arranged by Rumen and ideal for dancing and a couple less interesting "modern experimentations". There is a great tambura only piece (Radomirska Racenica). Released in November 2002.

1. Didinata (9/8) ; 2. Zhochkino Horo (Pravo Sopsko); 3. Krivo Horo (13/8); 4. Ranbosilkovo Horo (11/8); 5. Festive Horo (2/4); 6. Chetvorno Horo (7/8); 7. Ihtimansko Horo (2/4); 8. A piece for tambura ; 9. Krasavska Racenica (7/8); 10.Kjustendilsko Horo (Graovsko); 11. Zemenska Racenica (7/8); 12. Vassilovska Kopanica (11/8); 13.Blateshnichka Kopanica (11/8); 14. Radomirska Racenica (solo 7/8); 15. Djagarsko Horo (Chetvorno); 16. Tsonino Horo (2/4). 17. Martenska Racenica . 18. Stojna's Face (Devetorka); 19. Fiery Horo (Kukuneshko 2/4); Radomirsko Horo (2/4).

PIRIN FOLK SONGS - Zdravka and Pirinka Hristovi - GEGANew GD 264

A very nice duet from Bansko. Former soloists with the Pirin Ensemble and Sofia Singers, the Hristovi sisters now teach folk singing at the National High School for the Humanities in Blagoevgrad. The songs on the CD are all traditional from the Bansko area, several of which are sung in the complex local singing technique known as"na atzane". The Hristovi sisters are backed up by fine musicians on bitovi instruments including: Ilija & Todor Ganev and Petjo Krastev (tambura), Ivan Ivanov (kaval), Kostadin Atanassov & Ivan Iliev (gajda), Ivailo Ivanov (tarambuka). The simple arrangements have a good "dance beat. Recorded at Radio Blagoevgrad studios in May 2000. Released in December 2001.

1. Oj, Lenche (7/8) ; 2. Otdolu ide sharena kola (3/4); 3. Pusta mladost (a capella); 4. Tsarno mi yoko ergenche (fast 7/8); 5. Oro se vie (slow 9/8); 6. Slantse se slega da zaide (fast 7/8); 7. Mori, tragnali sa le malchi momi (7/8) (a capella with great tarambuka acc.); 8. Yubava e bila (well-known slow Bansko song); 9. Marko Elena yostave (2/4); 10. Pustite nashi dve dumi (7/8); 11. Stegai se, Rade (a Rumelaj-style song a capella with drum acc.); 12. Todorche le, libe le (fast 7/8); 13. Po drum, mome (fast 7/8); 14. Marko kove (fast 7/8); 15. Stani, stani, scherko le (fast 7/8); 16. Trugna moma za voda (slow 9/8); 17. Mor'f, Elenko (trad. a capella); 18. Vav nedelya stanash mlada nevesta (slow 9/8); 19. Da znayat malkite momi (fast 7/8).

Petar Ralchev has established a style of his own which has influenced a whole new generation of Bulgarian accordionists. Ralchev defines it as a mix of virtuosity, musicality, rich harmony and improvisation. Petar was born in 1961 in the village of Poibrene near Pazardzhik and started playing at the age of 5. He later studied at the Plovdiv Music Secondary School and was founder of the Orpheus band. He toured North America on several occasions in the early 90's. This CD is special because it includes, besides Ralchev's own Bulgarian folk-inspired compositions, tunes from other lands: two Serbian melodies, two Romanian tunes and even a French musette waltz ! Ralchev is backed up by Stoyan Yankoulov on percussion, Nikolay Georgiev on guitar and tambura and Dimitar Digboyushki on keyboards. Released in March 2002.

1. Greetings for Mitko (Pravo); 2. From somewhere in Thrace (fast!); 3. Joke in 7/8; 4. Memory from times of Yore (Pravo); 5. St. Lazarus Day dance (5/8 with tapan); 6. As if in a joke (7/8 with tapan); 7. Valse de musette; 8. Romanian lautari; 9. To the North of Bulgaria (2/4); 10. Like our colleagues from Serbia (slow 2/4); 11. Serbian Kolo (fast!); 12. From our Region (mix rhtyhm virtuosity).

This "new" release is sort of a "sampler" which includes selections from mostly previous Gega Folk music CDs but also a few new tunes never released. It is sort of confusing as this GD116 is NOT the same as the old GEGA GD 116 (Bulgarian Folk Music Vol. 1) which no longer exists... I have indicated below whenever possible, the reference numbers to earlier GEGA CDs. It is nonetheless a good compilation of artists from various regions of Bulgaria: Rhodopea Kaba Trio (RK); Dobroudja Folk Ensemble (DF); The Shopska Grupa (SG); Georgiev Sisters (GS); Bisserov Sisters (BS); Dobrudjanska Troika (DT); Hristofor Radanov Orch. (HR) and Georgi Musorliev, kaba gajda (GM). Released in March 2002.

1. Krushovensko Horo (slow 9/8 brass band - from GD107); 2. Selo, selo (RK) (7/8)(from GD124); 3. Sednal mi Damyan Chorbadji (DF - from GD140); 4. Bouchimish (SG - from GD107); 5. Svirchitse ne zasvirevei (GS); 6. Opas (DT - from GD107); 7. Severnyashka Suita (Kutev -GD119); 8. Bre, Petrunko (DF-GD140); 9. Paidushko Horo (HR - from GD107); 10. Bre Ivane (GS); 11. Concerto piece for folk orchestra (DF - from GD140); 12. Furuglitsa trepteri & Teche mi voda studena (BS); 13. Makedonski vihar (slow 9/8 HR - from GD107); 14. Tri momi (GS); 15. Shepherd's Song, Svornato & Pravo Horo (GM); 16. Molih ta Maicho & Son mi doide na ochise (RK-from GD124); 17. Balkandjiisko Horo (Kosta Kolev orch. Chetvorno - from GD107); 18. Severnyashki motives (DF - from GD140).

Sonya Kancheva (1929-) is a legendary folk singer from the Varna region in North-East Bulgaria. She recorded many songs at the Bulgarian National Radio and on the Balkanton label in the 50's and 60's. This CD includes 17 of her most popular songs. Some tracks are from the original radio tapes and others are re-recordings but remaining faithful to the "old radio sound" of the 60's with such arrangers as Kosta Kolev, Anastas Naumov and Hristo Todorov. Three of the songs are even arranged by Filip Kutev. Many will recognize some of those legendary beautiful songs and Sonya Kancheva's unique soft vocal timbre. Great listening and nostalgia album.

1. Tez malkite momi; 2. Yankin brat Yanki dumashe; 3. Marko Todorka zalyubi (5/8); 4. Nared, nared nasyadali (9/8); 5. Mama Dimitre dumashe; 6. Muri mome manichka; 7. Tenyuvata stara mama; 8. Chereshko le, vishnichko le ; 9. Lyube, lyube, parvo lyube; 10. Manuchkinata maichitsa; 11. Ya obyadvai mamo (7/8); 12. Hai da idem, libe le; 13. Georgi Zornitse dumashe; 14. A bre loudo, lud gidiyo; 15. Deto slantseto zaliza (a capella!); 16. A bre Iliya, luda gidiya; 17. Mari Marino, Marinke.

Thirteen Rom songs and instrumentals featuring several well-known Bulgarian Rom singers: Demcho Damyanov, Iliana Yordanova, Slavi & Angelo Dimchevi, Daniela, Dimcho & Slavcho Vassilevi. Arrangements by Bulgarian-Rom cymbalom player and conductor Angelo Malikov. Recorded at Bulgarian National Radio studios in May 2001. Modern-style arrangements; some good "kyucheks". Released in December 2001. Most songs are in Romane language.

1. Moro ilo rovela; 2. Pesen za tvetarkata; 3. Eke kotar kraï avel; 4. Wedding dance (violin solo); 5. O Jakha vakeren; 6. Alo mange ko suno (slow); 7. Sofia dance; 8. Nazhanav devla, nazhanav; 9. Ma holyane Tschaïori; 10. Suno; 11. Purani romnori phenela; 12. Nespodelena lyubov; 13. Romanian dance (accordion & cymbalom solos).

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Yanko Zheliazkov (born 1945) specializes in the dance repertoire and style of North Bulgaria. Born in the village of Brest near Pleven, Zheliazkov was for many years associated with the Severnyashki professional folk ensemble in Pleven. Besides traditional tunes, he has also composed some of his own. His style is clean and smooth, reminding us of Emil Kolev. The CD features 22 selections with back-up orchestra and arrangements led by Hristofor Radanov and Angel Shopov. May be a bit too orchestrated for actual dancing but a wonderful listening album. Accordionists will discover some great new tunes. Many of the tunes in 2/4 are typical of the N.W. Bulgarian "Sitno Vlashko" or "Izrucanka" forms of dances (not like Pravo). Zheliazkov has published a booklet of notation for most of these tunes ("Hora ot Plevensko") . Released in 2001.

1.Kailashko Horo (2/4); 2. Vitsko Horo (11/8); 3. Plevensko Gankino Horo (11/8); 4. Sborensko Horo (2/4); 5. Zavrashchanka (5/8); 6. Cherkezko Horo (9/8); 7. Anastassovska Rachenitsa; 8. Zornishko Horo (5/8); 9. Plevenska Rachenitsa; 10. Somovitsko Horo (2/4); 11. Duyimashka Racenica; 12. Dabovansko Horo (2/4); 13. Topolarska Rachenitsa; 14. Gigensko Horo (2/4); 15. Paidushko Horo ; 16. Ribenska Rachenitsa; 17. Bachvanka (2/4); 18. Brestenska Rachenitsa; 19. Plevensko Horo; 20. Brestenska Tropanka (2/4); 21. Buchimish; 22. Horo Milkovchanka (2/4).

This is the second volume featuring the same 3 singers (Lyutova, Ovcharova & Pavlova) heard in the first CD (GD 183). The songs on this CD are mostly with instrumental accompaniement (soloists include Georgi Kichukov on kaba gajda and Tsvetan Spassov, kaval). Some great dancing tunes !

Selections include: 1. Selo, selo (with kaba gajda 7/8); 2. Sbiraite momi, poprelki; 3. Mitro, Mitro (Pravo); 4. Medley of 3 songs (with kaba gajda): a) Hajdutine sa moleha b) Kara li ta, Ruseke le c) Karagyoz vakal, kamatan; 5. Karai Maicho (9/8); 6.Pustana dolna mahalo (Pravo); 7.Raditse muri hubava (Pravo); 8. De sa e chulo videlo (Pravo); 9.Duma sa duma ot stari lyude (with kaba gajda); 10. Zaburil beh da sa zhenya (Pravo); 11. Rosni mi, rosni rositse (7/8); 12.A bre yunache (Pravo); 13: Zadali sa sa podali (with kaba gajda) ; 14. Gaidine sviryat (9/8); 15.Rosni mi rosni rositse (a capella); 16. Sharen sandak (a capella); 17. Molih ta maicho, son mi doide na ochise (with kaba gajda).

This is the second GEGANew album featuring the Trakia Folk Ensemble (first was GD 110) and in my opinion,the better of the two. Trakia is one of the main 3 BIG State Ensembles (along with Kutev in Sofia and Pirin in Blagoevgrad). It has managed to differentiate itself from the other two by exploring new musical and choreographic avenues thanks to talented young musicians (Plovdiv is full of them) and artistic input from such people as Stefan Moutafchiev (musical arrangements) and Kiril Djenev (choreography, he founded the group 25 years ago - his daughter Daniela is now director and choreographer). One of the neat points about the group is that the dancers also sing (including the men!) which adds extra energy to live performances. The group is still too big in my opinion and needs to seek newer paths to leave its old "Voix Bulgares" socialist mold.

1.Grozdana (from "Thracian Dance"); 2. Fraknali sa dva galaba (5/8); 3. Ruzha ruzha sadi (Shope song); 4. Ya stani, Minke (a capella); 5. Muri ne li si sa naspala (Pravo); 6. Gonenitsa (fast Pravo); 7. Hei muri, kalum Kalino (men singing!); 8. Sevdim Kalyo (a capella); 9. From "Festive Thracian Dance" (Pravo with men & women singing); 10. Lazarskata (7/8); 11. Pirin Impression (7/8 tambura piece); 12. Two songs from the Pirin mountains (1 of them is Neda voda nalivala); 13. Thracian tunes for solo bagpipe (5/8 + Trite Pati); 14. Sino Stuyane (Pravo); 15. Sestro Dobrano, Dobranke (a capella); 16. Damian tanets vodi (Shope); 17. Youth suite (Instrumental medley); 18. Sokol mi litnal, Yano (a capella); 19. Kalino, dyulber Malino (Pravo).

A dance CD. The Horo orchestra directed by Vassil Parvanov, well-known clarinetist (also plays sax and ocarina) is one of the better known folk dance bands in North Bulgaria. Band members include Ivailo Petrov, Ivan Deskov and Ljubomir Hristov (accordeon), Dimitar Hodzhev and Yavor Minchev (guitar and tambura) Dimitar Petrov (bass) and Petar Avramov (tapan). Most of the tunes on the CD are danceable horos and rachenitsas in the exhuberant North Bulgarian style, some of which are sung by soloists Elka Boneva, Nedelcho Valev, Georgi Androv and Mariana Androva.

1. Danubian Daichovo Horo (9/8); 2. Loveshko Horo (2/4); 3. Trajkovska Rachenitsa (7/8 ); 4. Vlyazla e Tinka v Gradinka (7/8 song); 5. Zaljubil Koljo (5/8 song) ; 6. Koichovata (9/8); 7. Dulgata (slow 9/8); 8. Pravo Severnyashko Horo (2/4); 9. Zaljubil Todor (2/4); 10. Mome, Eleno, Eleno (9/8 song); 11. Velikovo Horo (2/4); 12. Petrovsko Elenino; 13. Radka si platno beleshe (2/4); 14. Zaljubih si dve momi (5/8 song); 15. Ljubomirovo Horo (2/4); 16. Kaval sviri (2/4 song); 17. Zaljubili se dvama mladi (9/8 Grancharsko song); 18. Mominska Rachenitsa (7/8); 19. Katselovsko Horo (78); Bavna Idilja & Berkovsko Horo.

A beautiful and talented singer from Dobrudja. 22 Traditional songs. Galina's voice is clear and sweet, yet powerful. The musical arrangements( H. Radanov; P. Krumov & G. Petrov) and accompaniements (solists include Kosta Kolev and Theodosii Spasov) are sober and tasteful. «This is one of the most exciting albums to be released in recent years» according to Seattle-based singer and teacher Mary Sherhart. CD includes many dancing songs in 2/4 & 7/8 meter as well as slow ballads. A MUST in your collection (YM)

Galina Durmushliyska has a very nice website (in Dutch) at: http://www.galina.nl/

Selections include: 1. Radka maika si dumashe; 2. Snoshti otidoh na izvortsi; 3. Krastov den doide; 4. Kalya si zhatva zhaneshe; 5. Yanka mama si dumashe; 6.Tri denya garmyalo; 7.Bre ovcharyu, shiletaryu; 8. Mari bulyo; 9.Prochu se moma Manolka; 10. Pesen za gaidarcheto; 11. Ti kat me chuesh da peya; 12.Oreh se vie razviva; 13: Kakvi sme godini dochakali; 14. Ivan na Donka dumashe; 15.Mari, Irinko; 16. Lazare, drago li ti e?; 17. Dobrudjanskata; 18. Pripadnala e tumna magla ; 19. Zalyubi Radka Nikola; 20. Moma se v gora izgubi; 21. Pasal mi Stoyan shilentsa; 22. Izgryala zora Dennitsa.

Petko Radev and Petko Dachev are legendary musicians that marked the development of Bulgarian folk music interpretation on Bulgarian radio and Balkanton recordings of the 1960's and 1970's. This CD features some of their "classics" such as Krivo Sadovsko Horo, Pazardzhishka Rachenitsa, Bourgasko Horo etc. These are new digital recordings but quite faithful to the original ones and have that great 1960 Balkanton sound! The CD also includes some wonderful songs with Nedyalka Keranova, Gruicho Dochev, Valcho Ivanov and Velichka Stambolova. There are also some solo appearances with Yordan Yotov (accordion), Ivan Hadjiiski (trumpet) and Ivan Mihov (violin). Great for both listening or dancing. A must for nostalgics! (YM)

Selections include: 1. Krivo Sadovsko Horo; 2. Patrikovo Horo; 3. Daichovo Horo; 4. Strandja tunes; 5. Bourgasko Horo; 6. Shto ne ma ozhenish, mamo; 7. Izbegliisko Horo; 8. Slow melody and Strandjanska Rachenitsa; 9. Rupchensko Horo; 10. Oj, Petre Petre; 11. Mirchovo Horo; 12. Pazardzhishka Rachenitsa; 13. Zhenish ma, mamo, godish ma; 14. Izvorsko Horo; 15. Zagorska Rachenitsa; 16. Hodil sam mamo, gledal sam; 17. Zlatevsko Horo; 18. Starozagorska Rachenitsa; 19. Volovarsko Horo.

Stoyan Varnaliev is a young (33) singer from the Yambol region in Thrace devotes this entire CD to the repertoire of legendary folk singer Valkana Stoyanova ( an original member of the Kutev Choir). He has a typical Thracian voice and remains very faithful to Stoyanova's original timbre and style. Songs include nice Pravos, Pajdushkos, Rachenitsas, etc. as well as some beautiful "slow" love and hajduk songs. The accompaniement is all with bitov orchestras of young Plovdiv-based musicians. There is even a guest appearance of the Jambol master kaval player Stavri Ivanov. CD was produced with a grant from "Foundation for the Balkans" (Sofia)

Selections include: 1. Pogina moma dilyana; 2. Dimo na Rada dumashe; 3. Ne omrazna li, doine le; 4. Djenda na patya sedeshe; 5. Voda teche; 6. Taz kuta; 7. Kostadin si konya kove; 8. Karala Donka goveda; 9. Pil Bogdan vino cherveno; 10. Hajde Goche; 11. Razbolyala sa e Ganka; 12. Mama si stana budeshe; 13.Prosadi sinko, tui bulche; 14. Dobre mi doshel draginko; 15. Bulya Stoyan dumashe;

The "Bistritsa Grannies" are famous not only in their native Bistritsa near Sofia, but also all over Bulgaria through their frequent participation in TV broadcasts and National festivals as well as overseas (concerts in France, Italy, Germany etc.) and a tour which was organized by Martha Forsyth of Boston who worked with them for many years and wrote the book «Listen Daughter, and remember well» which is entirely devoted to the Bistritsa singing traditions. This CD features 30 traditional songs from their repertoire (field-work songs, working bee songs, wedding songs, St. Lazarus Day songs etc.) all in the typical diaphonic style of the region. CD also includes 4 selections by younger women aged 20-25 who want to maintain this tradition. Of special interest to folklorists and purists!

Selections include: 1. Gel Yano; 2. Puna gradina; 3. Orgeya zvezda; 4. Pi momche vino; 5. Nikolo, more nikolo; 6. Begala Neda; 7. Mome Yano; 8. Yovano, Yovanke; 9. Dve mi gori; 10. Sedna ludo da vechera; 11. Malo selo rano vecheralo; 12. Mitra pere na rekata; 13. Gora yazdat kiteni svatove; 14. Beli shatore; 15. Izvrelo vino; 16. Pchelitse medna ilyadna; 17. Vi shto vi leto minalo; 18. Dana konye pribirala; 19. Dona bile brala; 20. Todora lilyak karshila; 21. Slantse zaide, rosa padna; 22. Slantseto treperi; 23. Nedelya na drum zhanala; 24. Pokarala bela Neda; 25. Todore le, bela Rado; 26. Kato le mome ubava; 27. Shto e arno u nashe selo; 28. Smin devoiche; 29. Zhunala e Yana; 30. Dala me mama.

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Other Bulgarian Dance Videos* by Yves Moreau

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