Bulgarian Women's Choir - Angelite
"Angelite - The Bulgarian Voices" is among the most renowned ensembles in the categories of "worldmusic" and "folklore." The women's choir has performed practically everywhere: on the Red Square in Moscow, at the award ceremony of the Nobel Peace Prize in Stockholm and at the Vatican. The cryptic, mysterious, perhaps even somewhat mystical quality that characterises the choir's sound arises primarily from the singers' preference for a second voice which is maintained a slight interval to the leading melody. This results in a kind of nearly-dissonant friction as well as a great radiant power, as of an unfolded colour spectrum: The singers' voices fan out into a colourfully glowing sound palette that plays with overtone resonance. As a result, "Angelite" offers something that goes far beyond common folk music: It is the artful and skilful enhancement of traditional elements to form a style which - despite its a great affinity with the folklore of Bulgaria - can be considered a category of its own. On the one hand it possesses an "authentic" sound, i.e. preserves the heritage; on the other hand it has advanced into the sphere of art music.
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Sadba Damba Dilele Mi ideme preko pole Barisha, barisha I Went to Elbasan Vila sei gora Bulgarian Pastorale Jenala e Dyulber Jana Makedonsko devoiche Devoiche belo, tsurveno Povdigni si milo libe Vassilke, mlada nevesto Zemiata na Orfei An Ohrid Legen about Bilyana Bouzuki taqsim Krai rekata Sasedi |
Bulgaria is a musical empire of ancient times. This unknown style of female
vocal singing is finally receiving the recognition it deserves after years of
isolation. Demonstrating mastery in advanced harmony and developed breath control,
these women will amaze you with tonality and resonance that suggests a deeper
look into the oppression and humanity of this mystical land of the Rhodope Mountains.
"There is a clarion purity to their singing which continues to express timeless
sentiments of the human condition." Created by contemporary classic composers
the music is rich with traditional melodies yet complex in harmony and texture,
using the distinctive vocal timbres and techniques indigenous to Bulgaria. This
is a fascinating introduction to a musical legacy.
| 7801 CD $15.98 |
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Nov Den Polegnala e Toudora Pilentze Pee Kalimanko Denko Triptih Utopia Begala e Vena Mechmetio Sestro Dobriano Jano, Hubavo Jano Trista Pushki Zavesata Pada |
Bulgaria is a musical empire of ancient times. This unknown style of female vocal singing is finally receiving the recognition it deserves after years of isolation. Demonstrating mastery in advanced harmony and developed breath control, these women will amaze you with tonality and resonance that suggests a deeper look into the oppression and humanity of this mystical land of the Rhodope Mountains. "There is a clarion purity to their singing which continues to express timeless sentiments of the human condition." Created by contemporary classic composers the music is rich with traditional melodies yet complex in harmony and texture, using the distinctive vocal timbres and techniques indigenous to Bulgaria. This is a fascinating introduction to a musical legacy.
| 6496 CD $15.98 |
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Great Litany Rejoice, Mother of God Unto Thee We Sing Kyrie Eleison Great Song of Peace It Is Honourable Praise The Name of the Lord Lord, Have Mercy Blessed Be the Lord Small Litany The Mystical Sacrifice Holy God Our Father |
When Bulgarians, at the end of the 20th century, look back to find their national history, they saw the Bulgarian orthodox church with its canonic ritual and religious traditions that few people had access to under the socialist regime in Bulgaria. "Mercy for the Living," for a "man's voice and a women's Folk Choir, places us in a seat in the early church, with beautiful music from the orthodox services, beginning with the lovely "Great Litany," "Rejoice, Mother of God," "Great Song of Praise," and "Is It Honorable." The four final pieces, "Small Litany," "The Mystical Sacrifice, "Holy God," and "Our Father," are all very fine. Throughout, however, the sound is that of angels in this rarely-heard collection of Bulgarian orthodox church music. Beautiful and touching.
Listen to Herr Erbarme Dich in Real Audio
| 9893 CD $15.98 |
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Pippero Bulgarian Rhapsody Devoika The Voyage Jana Guns and Paprica Dancing to the Bagpipe Sofia Sound Machine The Balcanic Plovdiv Pippero |
The much beloved Bulgarian Voices Angelite is a 19-strong, beautifully and authentically costumed women's World/Folk choir, which has performed practically everywhere in Europe. They have a new conductor for "The Pop Album," Ivan Topalov, and he takes the choir into new realms, of accompanied music, in this exploration of the common ground between generations. The group crosses over from Folk music to modern music, from the Orient to the Occident, pop song to disco, cryptic music to the computer. Some favorites are the funny (we assume, most of the lyrics are in Bulgarian), manic opening cut, "Pippero," the Folk masterpiece "Devoiko," the soaring, techno-pop tune "Jana," "Guns and Paprika," "Sofia Sound Machine," and the manic "Plodiv," All songs lightly to heavily accompanied. Good stuff!
| 9894 CD $15.98 |
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Polegnala e Toudora (Todora's dream) (Philip Koutev) Grozda Moma (Young Groda) (Dimitar Dinev) Dragana i slavei (Dragana and the nighingale) (Philip Koutev) Bre Ivane (Hey, Ivan) (Anastas Naumov) Jano, hubavo Jano Vetchera I Rado Listni se goro (Green Forrest) (Stefan Moutafchiev) Tapan bie (Beating the drum) (Zdravko Manalov) Kazhi, kazhi, Angio (Tell me, Angio) (Philip Koutev) S'gaida na horo (Dancing to the bagpipe) (Peter Lyondev) Ozdole Ide devoitche (A young maiden is arriving) (trad arr. Dimitar Dinev) Tin vjater vee (The wind is blowing) (trad. arr. Stehan Kanev) Sestro Dobriano (Sister Dobrjana) (Krassimir Kroumov) Tri biulbiui pejat (Three birds are singing) Dimjaninka (Philip Koutev) Pilentze pee (A bird is singing) (Krassimir Kyurkchiyski) Lale li si (Are you a tulip) (Philip Koutev) Kalugerine (The monk) (Nikolai Staikov) Mechmetio (Ivan Spasov) Dyulmano, dyulbero (Krassimir Kyurkchiyski) Kalimanko Denko (Godmother Denka) (Krassimir Kyurkchiyski) Polegnala e Toudora (Todora's dream) (Philip Koutev) |
Melody Rhythm & Harmony was recorded live by the Bulgarian Women's Choir during their 1993 tour in Norway. The songs presented here encompass the wide variety of styles from the various Bulgarian regions. Many of the arrangements include those of Philip Koutev, who was largely responsible for preserving the folk tradition. These songs are largely a cappella with a few accompanied by traditional Bulgarian instruments. The diverse history of the country has lent itself to produce music which requires great skill and feeling. And its rich culture continues to be preserved by this group.
Listen to Vetchera I Rado in Real Audio
| 9834 CD $14.95 |
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Midnight Tale Sunrise Early Morning With My Horse New Skomorohi Sad Harvest Mountain Fairy-Tale Daning Voices Grand FinaleZ Epilog 300 Pushki |
The 19-strong Bulgarian Voices combine with two smaller instrumental groups,
the Moscow Art Trio and Huun-Huur-Tu to create an authentic, eclectic collection
of folk tunes that explore the similarities and differences between Russian,
Bulgarian and Tuvan folk music. The 28 musicians create a surprising, spirited,
energetic, all-accompanied sound on 10 songs: "Midnight Tale," "Sunrise," "Early
Morning With My Horse," "New Skomorohi," "Sad Harvest," "Mountain Fairy-Tale,"
"Dancing Voices," "Grand Finale," "Epilog" and "300 Pushki." Often the all-women
Bulgarian Voices reminds us of Solstice, who did a great set recently at the
Bay Area Sweeps Regionals. Particularly nice is "Dancing Voices," when the soprano
and tenor solos soar above the rhythmic bass chanting, the sweet, sensual "Epilog,"
and the lovely lament, "300 Pushki," the story of the death of a hero. Some
great pix of the group(s) in the liner notes, in authentic costumes.
| 9815 CD $13.98 |
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Rozhdestveni kambani (Christmas bells) - Petar Liondev Koledna nosht (Christmas night) - Petar Liondev Koledna pesen (Christmas song) - Gentcho Gentchev Momata s chudna riza (The lass with a spended dress) - Georgy Petkov Divnitza (Wonderful star) - Gerogy Petkov Koledna zvezda (Christmas star) - Stefan Dragostinov Bogorodize Devo (Holy Virgin) - Orthodox / arr. Priest Kiril Popov Sveti Petar (Saint Peter) - Petar Liondev Hei pastiri (Hey, shepherds) - trad. Arr. Georgy Petkov La Notte Di Natale (Christmas night) - Silvio Pedrotti/ arr. Ivan Spassov Vitleemska zvezda (Ihr Kinderlein, kommet) - arr. Alexander Josiffov Koledna prilazka (A Christmas tale) - Georgy Petkov Tiha nosht, svjata nosht (Silent night, Holy night) - Franz Gruber / arr. Alexander Josiffov Rozhdestvo Hristovo (Christmas) - Dobri Hristov / arr. Georgy Petkov |
Singing is an important tradition in Bulgaria, especially at Christmas, whether at church or caroling in people's homes. There is a unique sonority specific to Christmas within the incredibly rich musical palette. This recording contains Bulgarian folk carols, Orthodox Church music and more familiar Christmas tunes, such as "Silent Night." The simple melodies and sincere lyrics of these songs will bring joy and peace to your Christmas celebration.
Listen to Bogorodize Devo in Real Audio
| 7291 CD $15.98 |
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