GD 313 MNOGAYA LETA. Orthodox Chants

Christian musical tradition in Bulgaria dates back long before Christianity was established as an official state religion (865). According to some records a Christian church convention took place in Serdica (Sofia) in the 4th century. It is believed that the church chants of that time differed from the Byzantium church music. When East Orthodox religion was adopted as a state religion in Bulgaria, King Boris I put an end to this tradition. The Byzantium liturgical services and chants were enforced. Byzantium church music was dominant up to the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, in spite of the recurrent resistance of various groups of society.

GD 345 YASSEN VODENITCHAROV. Compositions

Yassen Vodenitcharov was born in Burgas, Bulgaria, in 1964. He is a graduate of the Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music in Sofia and Paris National Conservatory (Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris). His teachers were Prof. Dimitar Tapkoff and Paul Méfano. Doctor of music, he is also a graduate of the IRCAM Institute in Paris, where he studied Music and Musicology of the 20th Century. He lives in Paris. The pieces in the author's CD of the composer are written for various instruments and voice combinations: soprano-saxophone, violin, clarinet and piano, flute orchestra, or mezzo-soprano with string, harp, piano (celesta) and percussion. The solo works are for harpsichord and soprano-saxophone.

GD 134 CHRISTINA LYUTOVA. Rafinka. Rhodope Folk Songs

We get acquainted with the authentic folk music of the Rhodopes thanks to the numerous singers who are dedicated to tracing out and recording folk songs from their native places. One of these singers is Christina Lyutova, who has collected and kept alive more than 400 songs. The Bulgarian National Radio preserves in its music library above 40 of these songs! A descendant of renowned Rhodopean families, Christina was a long-standing soloist in the Rhodopa Ensemble – Smolyan. She has inherited from her family not only the love for the song and her amazing talent, but also the spirit for struggle and constant search for new possibilities in presenting the Rhodope folk music.

GD 328 PLETENITSA. PEYO PEEV – gadulka

For centuries the gadulka has been among the most favourite instruments in Bulgaria. While in the past it was used only in some folk regions, today it is widely popular throughout the country. Since the middle of the 20th century, it has been invariably included in the folk music orchestras in all regions of Bulgaria.
Peyo Peeev is among the most renowned young gadulka players. Born and brought up in the heart of Trakia (Southern Bulgaria), the musician’s first interest in music was connected with the children’s ensemble Zagorche, then he studied at the Philip Koutev Secondary School of Music in the town of Kotel (1989-1994) and the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv (1994-1998). His professional career began in the Philip Koutev State Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances. After that he participated in the world-famous dance show Riverdance (1999-2000) and since 2000 he has been soloist in the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Music Orchestra.