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Accordionist Kaloyan Kumanov becomes part of world-famous Barcelona Gipsy balKan Orchestra

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Kaloyan Kumanov
Photo: Niki Shumanova

The undisputed musical sensation these days is the news that for the first time a Bulgarian musician has become part of the world-famous Barcelona Gipsy balKan Orchestra, focusing mainly on the folklore of the countries of the Balkan Peninsula. Bulgarian accordionist Kaloyan Kumanov, who has been living and working in Spain for years, received an invitation to participate in the group's European tour. 

Their repertoire includes Bulgarian folklore classics, such as Krivo Sadovsko Horo, Dunavko Horo, Daichovo Horo folk dances by Diko Iliev, folk songs such as More Sokol Pie, Macedonian Maiden, etc. When asked how, as a Bulgarian musician, he perceives these traditional Bulgarian folk melodies in the interpretation of the Barcelona Gipsy balKan Orchestra, Kaloyan answers:

"First of all, they are very good musicians. Naturally, they маке their own renditions. What I notice in them is a very great respect for our music. Years ago, and now again, they offer me to give their lead accordionist - Fernando - a few lessons, because they just really love our music and want to get as close to it as possible. And what we Bulgarians carry, purely musically - that's why we are unique, because no one in the world can have it."

Barcelona Gipsy balKan Orchestra
Kaloyan Kumanov admits that he was initially dumbfounded by the invitation to participate in the European tour of the Barcelona Gipsy balKan Orchestra. Then came the enthusiasm and excitement of being able to work with such musicians, but also the realization of the great responsibility.

"For me, this is not only a personal honour, but also a way to once again have people talk about Bulgarian musicians abroad", says Kaloyan. "It turned out that the artists of BGKO attended my master classes on Balkan music in Barcelona, and subsequently followed my work, the pieces that I play in the Kaloyan Kumanov Project and... well, in just a few weeks, my accordion and I will be part of this extraordinary band."

Kaloyan Kumanov and his special BUGARI accordion, Conservatory model (the only one in Bulgaria), will travel on February 11 to Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the first point of the tour.


"But before I go on tour, I have one very important task in Bulgaria", adds Kumanov. "I have to present the third piece from the Kaloyan Kumanov Project - "Adagio Timelessness".

In the play based on a theme by Johann Sebastian Bach, Kaloyan once again masterfully blends genres. The other musicians who participated in the creation of "Adagio Timelessness" are Julian Yanev - arrangement and mastering, and Hristina Neykova - vocals, which is a new moment in the music of Kaloyan Kumanov Project. "We have vocals, but no lyrics, because I don't want my music to have a language," says Kaloyan Kumanov. He adds that for the first time the video is so nonconventional, as the possibilities and creativity of artificial intelligence have been used.

"Adagio Timelessness" will be part of an upcoming album by Kaloyan Kumanov. The accordionist presented some of the pieces in it in an exclusive concert at Studio 1 of the BNR, together with the musicians Stoyan Yankulov - Stundji on drums, Julian Yanev on keyboards, Radoslav Slavchev - Rivermen on bass, and guitars - Miroslav Ivanov and Prof. Vladimir Vladimirov.


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Photos: Niki Shumanova, bgko.org


English publication by Rositsa Petkova

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