Jean / Svetlin / Bulgarian National Radio Symphony - Roussev: Fire & Ice - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

In Bulgaria, both folk and art music evince an ancient tradition that strikes awe even in some of the great music nations today. The way Pancho Vladigerov incorporated these folk-music themes into his concert pieces shows not only his affinity for them but also suggests that he felt something of a calling to promulgate and champion the folk-traditions of his central European homeland. The most-performed work of Pancho Vladigerov's is undoubtedly his Bulgarian Rhapsody op.16 InchVardarInch from 1922. The most outstanding must be his Seven Symphonic Bulgarian Dances op.23 (1931), with which he might have wanted to create a counterpart to Brahms' Hungarian Dances, Dvorák's Slavonic Dances, or Grieg's Norwegian Dances or similar such popular aural nationalistic postcards.

The present fifth volume of the Pancho Vladigerov Edition turns to an aspect of the composer's genre that many other composers have never or hardly touched Orchestral songs. It is perfectly plausible that Vladigerov found himself exposed to this genre during his formative years in Berlin and Vienna, having enjoyed it's heydays in those years he spent in those cities (Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, Hans Pfitzner, Joseph Marx and others). Notably, Vladigerov always worked off poems by Bulgarian writers, not only when dealing with Bulgarian folk songs. Like many other 20th century composers from a host of different countries and ethnicities, Vladigerov delved deeply into the folk songs and folk dances of his homeland. These are songs and dances - some are still popular today, others nearly forgotten - that various ethnic groups in the country have developed over centuries. In these arrangements, the composing side of Vladigerov finds the perfect synthesis with his pronouncedly Bulgarian side. Album Tracks 1. Bulgarian Folksongs for bass and orchestra, Op. 43~4. Dafina, Wine! 2. Bulgarian Folksongs for bass and orchestra, Op. 43~5. Early, Radka Went 3. Bulgarian Folksongs for bass and orchestra, Op. 42~2. Hey, Dimitro 4. Bulgarian Folksongs for bass and orchestra, Op. 32~1. The Woods were Writhing 5. Bulgarian Folksongs for bass and orchestra, Op. 42~5. Old Dimo was Sitting in the Yard 6. Bulgarian Folksongs for bass and orchestra, Op. 43~6. From the Mountain 7. Bulgarian Folksongs for bass and orchestra, Op. 43~1. A Maiden from Shoumen 8. Bulgarian Folksongs for bass and orchestra, Op. 41~6. Mincho Winked at Minka 9. Bulgarian Folksongs for bass and orchestra, Op. 41~1. An Old Man Pastures Cattle 10. Bulgarian Folksongs for bass and orchestra, Op. 32~5. Nine Years have Passed 11. Bulgarian Folksongs for bass and orchestra, Op. 32~6. A Whistle

Kalinka Zgurova's fans and connoisseurs of Strandja folk music will be pleased to listen to her new double album. It includes some of her original repertoire, recorded over a period of three decades. The programme continues the singer's recordings, presented up to now in four releases of Gega New Voice of Strandja - GD 293, Strandja Folk Songs - GD 338, My Lovely Strandja - GD 356, Folk Songs - GD 376. Having inherited the gift of singing from her family, Kalinka Zgurova gives life to the many authentic song pearls that she has learned from her relatives and elderly people of the Strandja villages. The rich repertoire of her native land is complemented by her own original songs, created entirely in the spirit of the ancient tradition. They are an integral part of her long-term singing career. She has received many awards in Bulgaria and abroad; she has given innumerable concerts with various ensembles, including the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Songs Ensemble, the famous The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices Choir, Zornitsa Vocal Trio, etc.; she has made hundreds of recordings for the music library of the Bulgarian National Radio and Television... Her creative life can be summarized by her words InchMy vocation is to be a folk singer, to give joy and pleasure to people, and this is my greatest pride.Inch