The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #104666   Message #2147154
Posted By: GUEST,Shimrod
12-Sep-07 - 06:50 AM
Thread Name: Bulgarian Folk Music
Subject: RE: Bulgarian Folk Music
I've got a CD which seems to combine two previous recordings: 'A Harvest, a Shepherd, a Bride: Village Music of Bulgaria' and 'In the Shadow of the Mountain: Bulgarian Folk Music' (Elektra/Nonesuch CD 979 195-2). I've no idea if this is still available.

Anyway, this CD contains one of the greatest vocal performances of all time, the song 'Izlel je Delyo hajdutin' sung by Valya Balkanska accompanied by Lazar Kanevski and Stephan Zahmanov on kaba gaidas (great bagpipes). Valya Balkanska is from Rodopi Mountains (Rhodopes) in Southern Bulgaria and her incredible, open-throated voice soars above the wild, wailing bagpipes.

I once visited the Rhodopes and had the privilege of hearing a local singer sing this song (with kaba gaida accompaniment); an awesome and totally unforgettable experience!