Bulgarian Voices - Angelite

Review: 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.

Songlist: 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

Review: An old Balkan proverb goes, 'There are no limits to a song.' 'Balkan Passions' combines the talents of 20-woman Angelite and their conductor Georgi Petkov with guest musicians Maria Farantouri of Greece, percussionist Okay Temiz and pop star Sezen Aksu, both from Turkey, and Romanian brass band Fanfare Ciocarlia to create a powerful recording that touches and effects us across international boundaries. 'Sadba' (Our Destiny), the driving 'Damba,' the rhythmic dance tune 'Dilele,' the joyous 'Mi ideme preko pole' (We Are Coming Across the Field,' the Albanian folk song 'I Went to Elbasan,' 'Makedonsko devoiche' (A Macedonian Girl), 'Devoiche belo, tsurveno' (Hey, You Girl, All White and Red), 'Krai rekata' (by the river) and 'Sasedi' (in the neighborhood) are particularly fine. All songs are accompanied; most only lightly. Beautiful, full-color liner notes tell us about the groups and the music. 'Balkan Passions' is excellent - a spirited, romantic collection of music from another world.

Songlist: 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

Review: 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!

Songlist: Pippero, Bulgarian Rhapsody, Devoika, The Voyage, Jana, Guns and Paprica, Dancing to the Bagpipe, Sofia Sound Machine, The Balcanic, Plovdiv, Pippero

Review: 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.

Songlist: 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

Review: 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.

Songlist: Nov Den, Polegnala e Toudora, Pilentze Pee, Kalimanko Denko, Triptih, Utopia, Begala e Vena, Mechmetio, Sestro Dobriano, Jano, Hubavo Jano, Trista Pushki, Zavesata Pada