Our World Tour stops this week in the southeastern European country of Bulgaria. Known by most for their beaches, skiing, and hot springs and known by me as the home of Viktor Krum who caught the Snitch but lost the match (iykyk), this beautiful country has a rich history and aa really cool musical culture.
Here's our brief info dump to as we get ready to explore:
-Capital City: Sofia
-Official Language: Bulgarian
-Government: Unitary parliamentary republic, currently under the leadership of President Rumen Radev, Vice President Iliana Iotova, Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, and Chairperson of the National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov
-The first Bulgarian Empire was established in AD 681, the second Bulgarian Empire established in 1185, the Principality of Bulgaria established March 1878, declared their independence from the Ottoman Empire in October 1908, the Bulgarian monarchy abolished in September 1946, the current Republic of Bulgaria formed in November 1990, joined NATO in March 2004, and joined the EU in January 2007
-Land Area: 42,855 square miles (103rd largest in the world, with 2.16% of its area being water)
-Population: 6,447,710 estimated as of 2022 (109th most populous in the world)
-Religion: 62.7% Bulgarian Orthodox, 15.9% no religious affiliation, 9.8% Islamic, 9.5% no comment, 2.0% other Christian denomination, 0.1% other religious affiliation
-Drive on the right side of the road
The Bulgarian music scene goes way back to the Middle Ages with traditional church music that is still prevalent and respected to this day. Their folk music is also very important and very unique, focusing on asymmetrical rhythm patterns such as 5/8 or 7/8 time signatures, harmonies like major seconds which create a certain amount of dissonance, polyphony (different voices moving in contrast with each other in a piece), and a vocalization style that focuses lower ranges and holding out a droning tone throughout a song. Having inspired popular musicians such as Kate Bush and George Harrison, important instruments include the gaide (bagpipes), the kaval (a rim-blown flute), the zurna (a woodwind instrument similar to the oboe), the tambura (a long-necked lute), and the gadluka (a bowed instrument that's held upright). Alrighty, let's see what's going on!
Stück No. 1 by Alexander Raytchev (written by A. Raytchev)
Alexander Raytchev is a Bulgarian classical pianist and composer. Born in Sofia in March 1975, he began playing piano at the age of five and won his first national competition at the age of eleven. He studied at the University of Music Trossingen in Germany and has released four studio albums since 2013. Stück No. 1, or Piece No. 1 in English, was featured on the 2013 album Alexander Raytchev: Jahreszeiten (which translates to Alexander Raytchev: Seasons). This is a beautiful, fun classical piece with some incredible piano that really shows off what Raytchev can do. It's a really nice one to listen to as you work, clean, work out, or any other way you enjoy classical music.
Archangel Michael by Daniel Spassov (composer unknown)
Daniel Spassov is a Bulgarian singer, performer, author, and television host. After first pursuing a law degree, he received his Master's Degree in Musical Folklore from the New Bulgarian University in Sofia. An important fixture in Bulgarian folk and church music, he's released nine solo albums between 1987 and 2008. Archangel Michael was originally featured on Spassov's 2000 album Holly Mother's Prayer. This song is absolutely beautiful, and ended up being one of my favorites of the week. The instrumentation is so cool, and Spassov's vocals are stunning. I wasn't able to find a good English translation of the lyrics, but definitely check this one out.
Gospodi Vozvah by Isihia (composer unknown)
Isihia are is a Bulgarian folk band. Formed in 2000, they primarily focus on medieval themes from Bulgaria's history throughout their music. Their current lineup includes Evgeni Nikolov (lead vocals), Veselin Mitev (vocals/kaval/gaida/duduk), Petar Delchev (tambura/cello-tambura), and Panayot Angelov (percussion). Gospodi Vozvah (Lord I Called Thee in English) was originally featured on the 2001 album Isihia, one of their three studio albums. This may have been my number one favorite of the week; I'm a sucker for ancient and medieval chant, and the use of the gaida in this song is nothing short of entrancing. It's beautiful and mesmerizing throughout the entire eight minute run time. An English translation of the original Bulgarian lyrics is listed below.
Lord, I called to you, hear me/Hear me, Lord/Lord, I called to you, hear me/Hear me, Lord/Lord, I called to you, hear me/Hear me, Lord/Lord, I called to you, hear me/Hear me, Lord
Vitamin by Krisia Todorova (written by Evangeline, K. Todorova, S. Kuslev)
Krisia Todorova is a Bulgarian singer, composer, and songwriter. Born in June 2004 in Varna (about 274 miles east of Sofia), this pop & rock vocalist began studying music at the age of 6 and helped Bulgaria place 2nd at the 2014 Jr Eurovision Song Contest at the age of 10. Over her ten year career, she has released many singles, one of which being our spotlight song for today. Vitamin was released as a single in 2019 when she was 15. It's a fun, upbeat song with lots of energy and bounce and showcases pretty great vocals from Todorova. An English translation of the original Bulgarian lyrics is below.
I open my eyes on a brand new day/I hurry, not wasting a minute, without delay/In a T-shirt with jeans and sports shoes emerged/Here out I stride to change all the world/Hey, do not frown/Only I can decide on my future/Hey, get it down/I pushed aside all rules and boundaries/Yes, I have a plan/Even more than one/Come dancing with me/And before the night is to fall/Feel the moment’s call/Come and play along the rhythm, free your mind/Just two steps and in a flash we leave the earth behind/Hey, apply yourself in everything you start/And then great days occur not much apart
Fantasy G moll by Neva Krysteva (written by J. Kuchar)
Neva Krysteva is a Bulgarian organist, professor, pedagogue, composer, and musicologist. Born in August 1946 in Sofia, she received her education from Moscow's P.I. Tchaikovsky Conservatoire in both organ and musicology. Proficient in organ, chamber music, and choral music, Krysteva organized the first organ class in the country of Bulgaira in 1978 and has released five studio albums since that same year. Fantasy G moll was originally featured on the 2009 album MUSICA SLAVICA and is a wonderful piece of instrumental music. I have a ton of respect for organists; it is NOT an easy instrument to play, and this piece is a great example of Krysteva's skill.
Shokolad by Ostova (written by S. Noev, G. Georgiev, D. Petrov, B. Petkov, M. Shishkov, A. Marburg)
Ostova is a Bulgarian alternative rock band. Formed in 1991 in Gabrovo (about 126 miles east of Sofia), they started off as a bunch of college students who have now released six studio albums since 2000. Their current lineup includes Georgi Georgiev (lead vocals/guitar), Boyen Petkov (bass guitar), Daniel Petrov (drums), Svilen Noev (vocals), and Mihail Shishkov (multi-instrumentals). Shokolad (Chocolate in English) was originally featured on the 2004 album Mono. It's not a bad alt rock song at all; it's very easy to listen to and vibe with, and would fit right in on the radio. An English translation of the original Bulgarian lyrics is below.
I'm wasting my time with thoughts, do I need them/The screen flashes inside me telling about every one of us/I'm looking confused before you, the whole world is confused/Sweet vices before me, sweeter than chocolate/Will you melt with me, will we hide in the night/Every moment is sweet, sweeter than chocolate/Will you melt with me, the whole world is confused/Every day of yours is sweet, once more the whole world is sweet
Edna bulgarska roza by Pasha Hristova (written by D. Valchev, N. Valchev)
Parashkeva Stefanova, better known by her stage name Pasha Hristova, was a Bulgarian singer. Born in July 1946 in Sofia, she gained popularity very quickly in the 60s and 70s after winning many Bulgarian radio competitions with chanson, jazz, contemporary rock, and folk music. She did tragically pass away in a plane crash in 1971 at age 25, but did release one studio album in 1970. Edna bulgarska roza (A Bulgarian Rose in English) was featured on 1970's Begin to Blow, Wind and took me completely by surprise with the sound. After listening to pieces like Archangel Michael, this song was drenched in that classic 60s type sound and I honestly loved it. Hristova had a beautiful voice, and it's really, really sad how her life and career were cut so short. An English translation of the original Bulgarian lyrics is below.
Good evening, my young friend/Good evening, buddy/You're welcome in our town/You're welcome in Bulgaria/Take, in this good day/A Bulgarian rose from me/Let it tell you with it's fragrant voice/About the Balkan, about the sea and about all of us
Edna Ferrari S Tsvyat Cherven by Slavi Trifonov (written by E. Dimitrov, I. Valchev)
Stanislav "Slavi" Trifonov is a Bulgarian singer, songwriter, producer, television personality, and politician. Born in Pleven (about 102 miles northeast of Sofia), he studied at the National Academy of Music in Sofia before enjoying both a solo and a group career as part of the Ku-Ku Band. Making music in the folk, hip hop, pop rock, and punk genres since 1992, Trifonov has released twenty-three solo studio albums. Edna Ferrari S Tsvyat Cherven (A Red Coloured Ferrari in English) was originally featured on on the 1997 album of the same name. This song was interesting, to say the least. It's very high energy, but I can honestly say it's not my preferred personal sound, but I can definitely understand why others like it. An English translation of the original Bulgarian lyrics is below.
If I only knew God's number/I would have called him, we would have made a deal/I for him, he for me to do a favor/And when he asks me, “Do you want anything, tell me”/This is what I will tell him/One Ferrari in red color, one for you, one for me/This is what a man needs, and inside/A girlfriend with a bronze tan, one for you, one for me/This is what a man needs
Love Unlimited by Sofi Marinova (written by K. Georgiev, K. Geopriev, Y. Kozev, Y. Kozer)
Sofiya Kamenova, better known by her stage name Sofi Marinova, is a Bulgarian singer and songwriter. Born in December 1975 in Sofia, she began studying music and dance at the age of two. Focusing on pop-folk, ethno-pop, and dance music, she represented Bulgaria in the 2012 Eurovision contest and throughout her thirty-one year career has earned the nicknames of "Romani Pearl" and "Romani Nightingale) and released 11 studio albums. Love Unlimited was originally featured on on the 2013 album Sofi Marinova 2013 and is the song she performed at Eurovision. It definitely sounds like a Eurovision song, but it's got a fun dance beat and lots of energy in the instrumentation and Marinova's vocals. An English translation of the original Bulgarian lyrics is below.
The song has no limits, language and color/It doesn’t recognize who’s poor and who’s rich/Everybody sings in this world, sings about love/Love has no limits, language and color/It’s equal for everybody on this world/For me, for you, for them/I love you so much, I love you so much/I love you, I love you, my darling/I love you, I love only you/I say that I love you/I love you so much, I love you so much/I love you, I love you, I love you/I love you, I love only you/There are no limits for us
Mila Rodino by Sylvie Vartan (written by T. Redolavov)
Mila Rodino (Dear Motherland in English) is the national anthem of Bulgaria. Composed by Bulgarian teacher Tsvetan Redolavov in 1885, it was originally adopted as the country's anthem in September 1964 and has been reaffirmed three times since. This version I listened to was performed by Armenian-Bulgarian-French singer Sylvie Vartan on her 1990 live album Enregistrement Public A Sofia. An English translation of the original Bulgarian lyrics is below.
O thy Balkan Mounts noble/By it the Danube sparkleth/O’er Thrace the Sun beameth forth/O’er Pirin blazeth forth/O dear Motherland/Thou earth’s Promised Land/Thy beauty, thy loveliness/Ah, forever boundless
Izlel e delyu haidutin by Valya Balkanska (composer unknown)
Valya Balkanska is a Bulgarian solo singer. Born in January 1942 in Arda (about 108 miles south of Sofia), she has been a soloist for the Rodopa State Ensemble for Folk Songs & Dances since 1960. Primarily dealing in folk music, Balkanska has released two studio albums between 2000 and 2012. Izlel e delyu haidutin was originally featured on the 2000 album Rhodope Songs. This was another favorite of mine this week, and a lot of that had to do with Balkanska's outstanding vocals. Her voice is so clear and beautiful, and it adds to the aesthetic of this classic folk song. I couldn't find a good English translation for this one either, but please check it out, it's so good.
Pictures at an Exhibition: 1. Gnomes by Yuri Boukoff (written by M. Mussorgsky)
Yuri Boukoff was a Bulgarian-French pianist. Born in May 1923 in Sofia, he studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris in 1946. In 1956, he became the first European pianist to tour China. He released three studio albums before his death in 2006 at the age of 79. Pictures at an Exhibition: 1. Gnomes is featured on the 2019 remaster of Pictures at an Exhibition. Modest Mussorgsky was a prolific composer for the Romantic Era, and Boukoff plays this piece of his with the absolute right amount of passion and feeling. It's another great piano piece that I'm sure you'll enjoy.
As always, I hope you found some new, interesting music to check out from this post. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!
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