We are absolutely delighted to welcome Mariya Dimitrova, Asya Pincheva, and Vanya Dimitrova to our virtual concert series performing a series of Bulgarian vocal arrangements.
The distinctive sounds of Bulgarian vocal music are the result of elaborate musical systems that have been developed over time and through an amalgam of cultural and political contexts. Some of the most striking characteristics of Bulgarian vocal music are its asymmetrical rhythms, distinct harmonies, and unique vocal performance strategies, which have paved the way for the genre to be characterised as a national treasure. Singers are known for their virtuosic displays in irregular meters such as 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, where meter is split in combinations of short (2 metric units) and long (3 metric units) beats, corresponding to the dancers' short and long steps. One such example in the programme here is 'More Pile' (2:42) which is in 7/8 (3 + 2 + 2). While these meters are commonly found in other musical traditions across the Balkans, a truly unique characteristic of Bulgarian vocal music is its use of polyphonic and homophonic textures. The extensive use of close intervals like the major second and singing with a drone accompaniment are especially common in songs from the Shope region, around the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, and the Pirin region. The repertoire itself is categorised into distinct folkloric regions, depending on the context where the music is being performed (different traditions, beliefs, customs, lifestyles and phonetic pronunciation).
0:18 Гълъб форка (Galab forka) - A Dove is Flying. Bulgarian folk song from the Rhodope region. This beautiful love song describes the courtship of two young people who defy social conventions by consuming their love and are being reminded by a messenger dove that ‘those who have caressed are to be wed’.
2:42 Море пиле (More pile) - Dear Birdie. Folk song from the Macedonian region. This is the story of a nightingale whose song is heard far away. The bird is singing the praises of Pitu Guli, a well-known revolutionary and activist of the national liberation movement in Macedonia who sacrificed his life in the struggle to free these lands from Ottoman rule.
5:47 Зайди, зайди (Zaydi, Zaydi) - Set Now, Bright Sun. Bulgarian folk song from the Pirin region. A metaphorical and highly poetic description of the transitions in nature and in a person’s life, carrying the sad message that the forest’s falling leaves will grow again in spring, while the character’s youth is gone forever. The lyrics of the song have been written by the prominent Bulgarian poet, writer and revolutionary Lyuben Karavelov in the 1870s.
8:51 Снощи минах край райските градинки (Snoshti minah kray rayskite gradinki) - Last Night I Passed through the Garden of Eden. Folk song from Bessarabia. An allegorical tale, which tells the story of two lovers who meet in the Garden of Eden and are pondering on what is most precious in the world: life, property or love, arriving at the conclusion that life is God-given, property is created with great toil, but love is eternal and thus, most precious.
11:48 Девойко мари хубава (Devoyko mari hubava) - Oh, Beautiful Lass. Bulgarian folk song from the Rhodope region. A wartime song about two young people who meet before the lad leaves for the front and are contemplating whose burden is greater: his who has to serve his country or hers who has a dowry to prepare. Finally, the lad admits that the greatest burden of all is that they will never marry.
14:46 Автентичен неделински двуглас - Authentic diaphonic chant from Nedelino. Diaphonic chants are quite popular in the musical tradition of the Balkans, but those originating from the town of Nedelino in the Rhodope Mountains differ from the rest and are specific to that particular community. The lyrics, often improvised, come second and serve to sustain the melodic dialogue between the two singers.
All songs except the duet arranged by Mariya Dimitrova. Translations by Asya Pincheva and Irena Alexieva.