The Day of Bessarabian Bulgarians, which is marked on October 29, is an occasion to recall the work of Academician Nikolay Kaufman - one of the greatest Bulgarian folklorists. Thanks to him, we have a unique collection of songs and instrumental melodies, recorded in Bulgarian villages in Moldova, and in villages near Bolgrad, Odessa, and all the way to the Sea of Azov. During his lifetime, Academician Kaufman said that he particularly appreciated this work, as he was able to collect extremely rich music heritage.
It is known that Bulgarian compatriots from Bessarabia left the borders of Bulgaria in different years, with the most massive resettlement being in 1828-1830. The scientist met them for the first time in 1968, when he accompanied an ensemble that performed his arrangements of folk songs. Then he recorded a hundred samples from Bulgarians, immigrants from the region of Sliven. He went from village to village, talked to the people, who recalled old lyrics and melodies. Upon his return to Bulgaria he quickly managed to prepare "Folk songs of the Bulgarians from the Ukrainian and Moldavian SSR" and submitted the book for printing in the same year - 1971. The collection was published much later - in 1982. It consists of two volumes and contains about 2,600 folk songs and instrumental tunes. To this day, it is an inexhaustible source of information, a starting point for researchers and invaluable material for composers. Listen to “Bessarabian wedding dance” with arrangement by Academician Kaufman and performed by the BNR Folk Music Orchestra.
Opera stars Sonya Yoncheva and Plácido Domingo will bring to Sofia a host of opera managers and 32 young opera singers from 17 countries across five continents. From October 20 to 26, the world’s most prestigious competition for young opera singers,..
More from Radio Bulgaria's series on Highlights of Bulgarian musical culture: Highlights of Bulgarian musical culture: Filip Kutev – "Polegnala e Todora" Highlights of Bulgarian musical culture: Petko Staynov's Thracian Dances..
Today marks the 95th anniversary of the birth of folk singer and accordionist Kroum Yankov. Born on September 11, 1930, in the Rhodope village of Dobralak, the performer showed an interest in the accordion from an early age. His tours through..
+359 2 9336 661