Bulgarian musical folklore is distinctive and unique in world music culture. This CD, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN BULGARIA – kaval, features yet another instrument in the collection of Bulgarian folk instruments. The previous releases in these series presented the tambura, zurna, wind orchestra, gaida and gadulka.
The kaval is part of a centuries-old folklore tradition in Bulgaria and is among the favourite instruments, especially in Thrace and Dobroudja. The most skilful virtuoso kaval-players come from these regions. The kaval is also spread in other areas. The single-piece kavals are preferred in some parts of Western Bulgaria, while in the southwest Rhodope mountains, the pair of kavals are used – two kavals in the same tuning. The three-sectioned kavals are more common and have more technical possibilities. They can be used to perform with equal ease slow, richly ornamented melodies as well as fast horo melodies, which require great skill and technique.
The kaval has a special place in Bulgarian instrumental folk music - bucolic music (from Greek: boukolikòs – pastoral). By playing specific tunes, the shepherd herds his large flock: “At Daybreak”, “Herding Tune” (for herding the sheep), The Lost Flock”, etc.
The kaval participates today in orchestras of folk instruments, where it has a leading function and talented kaval performers attain unexpected technical results and expand its genre capabilities.
By listening to the performances of the many kaval players featured on the CD, you will see for yourself how unique this instrument is.
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN BULGARIA · KAVAL
Track Listing
[1] Ruchenitsa-Ruchkanitsa 4:59
Music Theodosii Spassov
[2] Three Songs from Strandja 3:22
Music Kostadin Genchev
[3] The Lost Flock * * * 5:37
[4] Revolve Horo 3:03
Arrangement Stefan Kanev
[5] Sitno Ugarchinsko Horo * * * 3:02
[6] Stoyan Kehaya – Ovcharskata 4:21
Arrangement Kosta Kolev
[7] Kasumsko Horo 2:47
Arrangement Kostadin Bouradjiev
[8] Kairyak Havasa * * * 3:09
[9] Groudovski Bouenek 2:20
Music Krassimir Kyurkchiisky
[10] Splotch-faced Baynov Lamb * * * 2:24
[11] Vlashko Horo 3:31
Music Nedyalko Nedyalkov, arrangement Georgi Andreev
[12] Graovo Dance 3:59
Music Theodosii Spassov
[13] Slow Song and Drosaliisko Horo 3:33
Music Krastyo Dimov and Hristofor Radanov
[14] Wedding Horo * * * 2:43
[15] Spring Horo) 2:47
Music Krassimir Kyurkchiisky
[16] Song (Impression) 2:11
Music Kostadin Bouradjiev
[17] Slow Shepherd Song, etc * * * 2:39
[18] Slow Song and Ruchenitsa * * * 3:00
[19] Rhodopskata * * * 0:53
Total 60:00
Participating
Theodosii Spassov, Kostadin Genchev, Nikola Ganchev, Tsviatko Blagoev, Stoyan Velichkov, Jivko Jelev, Dragan Karapchanski, Ivan Bogoev, Rousi Krastev, Nedyalko Nedyalkov, Krastyo Dimov, Stanil Payakov, Vassil Andonakiev, Yordan Todorov, Tsvetko Mikov, Mirolyub Tabakov, Malin Alendarov
Accompaniment: Bulgarian National Radio Folk Orchestra, Dobroudja Ensemble
Conductors: Hristofor Radanov, Ivan Kirev, Tsviatko Blagoev, Dimitar Lavchev, Kostadin Bouradjiev, Stefan Mutafchiev