Track Listing

1. Selska Svadba
2. Dimo Na Rada
3. Mechkadarska Pesen
4. Tsonkinata
5. Kapit�n - Atanasova Zah
6. Trima Bratya Dyulgeri
7. Pristanalata Ganka
8. Paidushko Horo - Iliya Atansov
9. Zemetresenie V Balgaria
10. Hora Zurla a Tupan
11. Gankino
12. Banovata Pesen - Gergana Tsekova
13. Yambolsko Horo
14. Ya Stani Milke
15. Lovchanska Rochenitsa
16. Aguntse Milo Baiovo - Boris Mashalov
17. Ala Imash Ochi
18. Na Trapeza I Horo - Sevlievska Troika
19. George Sugarev - Hristo Arsov
20. Plevensko Horo
21. Zasviri Bozhil S Kayala
22. Cherven Fesets
23. Kopano Horo - Boris Karlov

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #243195 in Music
• Released on: 1998-05-19
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Spurred by the popular success of Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares (Nonesuch), there has been unprecedented interest by the Western world in the music of Bulgaria. But the renowned women's choir offers a mere fragment of the country's diverse musical heritage. Song of the Crooked Dance, a 23-track compilation of recordings from 1927 to 1942, presents a far more extensive and stunning overview of the Bulgarian traditions, the breadth of which may surprise most listeners. The impassioned ornamentation of 17-year-old singer Vulkana Stoyanova echoes the great vocalists of flamenco. Solos on gaida (bagpipe) and kaval (end-blown flute) recall the launeddas masters of Sardinia and Celtic pipers and flautists. Pieces showcasing trumpet and clarinet resound with klezmer's free-metered reel. Remarkably, it's as if Balkan folk music channels the crosscultural gitano flame of the entire European continent. --Sam Prestianni

Customer Reviews

Fantastic!
This CD introduces the listener to priceless recordings of Bulgarian folk music. People who like the Bulgarian "mystery girls" (Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares) and international folk dancers will really enjoy this, as will anyone who likes international music. Some of the tunes (a 7/8 bagpipe tune and a slow 7/8 Macedonian tune played like a waltz) had me dancing in my office during my first hearing. Another (the song of the "bear handler") had me laughing out loud at the bear grunts, dog barks, and snide comments provided by actors. There are several wonderfully soulful clarinet and vocal tunes, and the CD introduces you to other instruments like the oboe-like zurla, the folk violin gadulka, trumpet and others. The CD's booklet is very informative about the making of the recordings, Bulgarian history, how Bulgarian music was being transformed during this period, the customs surrounding the music, and the meaning of the songs. If you've just heard the big state choruses, this information will fill in a lot of gaps for you, and even if you're already familiar with Bulgarian or Balkan music, the booklet will be fascinating.

in-depth and excellent
Great to know that Yazoo, a label which has released dozens of great, ancient recordings (a personal favorite is the Secret Museum of Mankind series), has, in the wake of several modern variations on Bulgarian folk music, released this awesome package. The variety of compositions and arrangements of this traditional music is well documented here, and the informative liner notes are great to have. The serious ethnomusicologist will take delight in the CD's presentation and in-depth look at Bulgaria's musical heritage, and the CD is great for the casual listener.