... a very fresh breath of authenic Bulgarian folk music
07/08/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"We caught the band Bulgari a couple of weeks ago in an old Methodist church in University City, MO. I was real jazzed about the potential photo opportunity with an authentic Bulgarian band performing in some old gothic structure. Turned out they set up in a fairly new basement of the old church. So much for the surroundings. We got there about 20 minutes early, and the crowd was a little light. But by show time, the place was packed. A five piece band came out sporting authentic, possibly hand made instruments resembling a violin, bagpipe, flute, hand held drum, and balalaika. After the first four very tightly performed pieces, a beautiful, olive skinned diva comes floating out, dressed in full Bulgarian regalia. She wailed in such a mysterious and mezmering manner, and when she wasn't, circulated the stage waiting for her next entrance point. Bulgari played certain standards, much to the delight of the crowd, who at times accompanied with a full crowd chorus. Beautiful sounding music from the great Bulgari CD made for a rich cultural experience. If you ever get a chance, go see these guys."
Heart-felt Intense Balkan Traditional Sounds ...
Erika Borsos | Gulf Coast of FL, USA | 01/30/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bulgari is a distinguished group of master musicians & a female solo artist - the music is astonishingly beautiful and richly diverse. Georgi Doichev was a principle with the Philip Koutev Ensemble, Georgi Andreav was director of the Bulgarian National Ensemble, Dimiter Lavchev was a soloist with the orchestra "Sofia" on the Bulgarian National Radio, Georgi Zeliazov also played with the Bulgarian National Ensemble, Anton Tsambov worked for many years with the above Ensemble, and Radostina Kaneva, is well known for her singing style as a vocalist on the Bulgarian National Radio and Television. Bulgarian musicians and singers do not come with finer credentials than these ... this CD provides a variety of styles and sounds that distinguishes Bulgarian music from the rest of the Balkans. The traditional instruments, the gaida, gadulka, tepan, kaval, and tambura create labrynths and winding musical pathways in the 7/8, 9/8, 2/4, 13/8, 5/8 rhythms. Bulgarian music has achieved special recognition for these odd-metered melodies and the unique vocalizations and once a person develops a taste for this style ... it becomes addictive. One reaches dizzying heights of pleasure when savoring this musical experience -- it lasts for hours and hours. You find yourself humming the melodies or tapping your toes or fingers to the odd meters unconcsiously even when the music stops. Bulgarian music is an acquired taste but once you develop it - you definitely want to experience it more often. This CD is a delightful smorgasboard for those who have had a bite of this style of music and want to expand their musical horizons. Erika Borsos (erikab93)"
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1