- Bulgaria has a rich musical culture with 7 distinct folklore regions shaped by history, geography, and lifestyles. These regions have unique musical traditions with different instruments, songs, dances, and dialects. - Bulgaria has produced many renowned classical composers, opera singers, and instrumentalists who have gained worldwide fame. Some famous names mentioned are Raina Kabaivanska, Boris Christoff, Vasko Vassilev, and the Sofia Soloists ensemble. - Bulgarian folk music traditions were introduced to international audiences through groups like the Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices children's choir and artists playing jazz and world music styles on traditional instruments.

1. MUSIC CULTURE PORTRAIT OF BULGARIA

3. John Koukouzeles i s the most important medieval Bulgarian saint, church singer and songwriter (13-14c.) Music theorist and reformer. Gifted with a beautiful voice, his contemporaries called him the man with a ngel ic voice

4. Bulgaria is a small country, but in it there are seven musical folklore regions: Thrace Strandja Rhodopes, Pirin, Shoppe, Dobrudja and northern Bulgaria.

5. Musical folklore regions These people have different customs, sing different songs, wear different costumes, playing various instruments, speak different dialects, different people play. The reasons for the separation of these areas are in the historical past , natural features , i n livelihoods and lifestyles of the population. .

7. Strand j a folklore region Strandja is the land of the dancers. People who are protected by unknown forces dancing in the fire. Ritual, full of mysticism, superstition and faith. The music played on bagpipes and drums, comes from the depths of the supernatural. In celebration involved the whole village, but only in the ritual dancers. They have chosen the Saint Constantine - patron of the festival. With his help dancers see omens, advise, rebuke

8. Valya Balkanska is Bulgarian folk music singer from the Rhodope Mountains known for singing the song “Izlel e Delyu Haydutin”, part of the Voyager Golden Record selection of music included in the two Voyager spacecrafts launched in 1977. Rhodope F olklore R egion Song of R h odop e Mountain is smooth, wide and voluntary, such as mountains and constant companion of the song is Rhodope kaba bagpipe .

9. A characteristic feature of Pirin song is singing. The melody is sung by one singer. The second vote is lying equal called “i so ” and implemented by more singers. Pirin F olk A rea

10. Friendly, with impetuous temperament, witty and resourceful shop pe has created a folklore that meets these qualities. Especially characteristic here is the singing, run by women, which with its unique parallel seconds is the hallmark of the field. Shoppe diphthong songs sound very interesting -a cute, s tabbing. Shoppe dances are mostly in irregular size. The ir dance is fast, light, live . Shoppe F olklore A rea

11. Dobrudjanska folklore area - granary of Bulgaria

12. Classics of Bulgarian Composers - musical culture, creators of the Bulgarian national musical style Petko Staynov Pancho Vladigerov Lubomir Pipkov Dimitar Nenov Veselin Stoyanov Marin Goleminov

13. Композитори- Новатори Lazar Nikolov Konstantin Iliev Composers founders of modern Bulgarian music of the twentieth century Ivan Spassov Vasil Kazandjiev

15. World famous Italian conductor Luciano di Martino says: ' She is an absolute star. She is that perfect professional ist who knows no hesitation in work. 'Critics declared her for ‘the v oice of the century ’ and voice which conquer s the world ! Gena Dimitrova The Great Bulgarian Voices Boris Christoff gr eat Bulgarian bass Opera singer and genius .

16. The Great Bulgarian Voices She is one of the most gifted and popular soprano of the La Scala, Milan, bearer of many awards for opera voices. She was the one, besides Andrea Bocelli, chosen to sing at the funeral of the great Pavarotti. Raina Kabaivanska Nikolai Ghiaurov Н e was one of the most prominent basses of the 20-th century. Among his most acclaimed roles was Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov.

18. . Chamber Ensemble of Sofia Soloists is founded in 1961. in Sofia. The ensemble has recorded over 90 LPs and CDs, has toured worldwide. The r epertoire of the ‘ Soloists ’ is too wide from the fifteenth century to the newest works. Among the conductors and soloists have worked with the ensemble are: H. Szeryng, H. Holiger,E. Safran, N. Tsabaleta, Patrick Galois, Vesselina Katsarova, Nigel Kennedy, Nicholas Lugano, and others. Conductor of ‘ Sofia Soloists ’ is the composer Plamen Dzhurov . Five decades of children's choir of the Bulgarian National Radio spread the magic of choral art in the world. 80 overseas tours, 32 countries in Europe, America, Asia and Africa, nearly 2000 concerts, more than 800 songs in the repertoire Acad emician Hristo Nedyalkov is the founder and conductor of the Choir. He is composer of some songs from the repertoire. ‘ Winter song ’ is one of the best - loved Bulgarian children's songs.

19. The ir album soon became a best seller and in 1990 earned the American “Grammy Award”. It was at that time that the choir was called “Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares”. ”(The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices ). Marcel Cellier, Swiss music producer, discovers the beauty of Bulgarian folk songs, folk singers, their unique voices and choral skills in the 1970s .

20. In 1970, adopt invitation from popular with hi s advanced searches trumpeter Duke Ellis become a pianist and arranger his big band in Los Angeles. He has played in projects with musicians Billy Cobham, Art Pepper, Al Jarreau. Bulgarian Jazz Milcho Leviev still young achieved w orld wide fame as a jazz musician, composer, pianist and educator.

21. Teodosii Spassov He plays the kaval, an eight-hole wooden “shepherd” flute which is one of the oldest instruments in Europe. He has developed his own unique style of playing by synthesizing traditional folklore with jazz, fusion and classical music. In April 1995 Newsweek magazine recognized him as one of the most talented Eastern-European musicians, noting that he has actually invented a new musical genre. AWARDS: -The Special Prize of Detroit Flute Festival, 1994 -The International Academy of Arts in Paris Award, 1996 -“Music Artist of the Year” at the National Music Awards, 1997 and 2002 Ivo Papazov Virtuoso clarinettist . His colleagues call him: ’The s un of clarinet ’. With the BBC Awards . The Guardian, The Washington Post and New York Times are amazed by his talent and then bombarded with compliments. WORLD MUSIC

22. Formation Studio Balkanton i s among the most popular Bulgarian rock bands