2015 has been a good year for traditional Bulgarian music fans with a great many new releases.

“Voice of Dobrudja” is the first solo album by singer Ivelina Dimova, soloist of the Philip Koutev National Folklore Ensemble, member of the Judith vocal quartet as well as the Glagortsi folklore formation. She is also leader of the Sofia female choir. Ivelina Dimova’s warm and glowing voice transports us to the Dobroudja plain.

The second album we present takes us to a very different part of Bulgaria – Pirin region. Karamfil Bozhikov and his album “Lasses dancing” presents the inimitable songs from the place where the young singer was born – the region of Sandanski and Petrich. The Pirin songs, a panoply of rhythms and emotions are the kind of music to be listened to at any time and on any occasion.

Not to stray from the Pirin folklore region – a magnificent instrumentalist released a new album this year featuring his own music, traditional but with a somewhat unorthodox acoustic sound - Music for Tamburica and Valery Dimchev.

Famed folk singer Kalinka Zgurova was born in Debelt, Bourgas region. Having been discovered by legendary folk singer Sava Popsavov, she has been soloist of Pirin ensemble, Zagore ensemble and of the Mystery of Bulgarian Voices. She has made more than 350 recordings at the Bulgarian National Radio and has released 13 albums. Kalinka Zgurova has a Grammy to her name as well as an Order of Saints Cyril and Methodius, first degree. The much loved singer from the Strandja region released an album this year called “Ode to embers”, featuring songs telling stories from Strandja.

And one more inimitable Bulgarian folklore singing voice – Galina Durmushliiska. The “nightingale from Dobrudja” is working on songs for a new album she will be presenting soon.

The audio file contains the following pieces:

1 - Going to Dobrudja, Ivelina Dimova;

2 - Lasses dancing, Karamfil Bozhikov;

3 - Tamburica – Jangurica, Valery Dimchev;

4 - I passed by last night, mother, Kalinka Zgurova with the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Music Ensemble;

5 - Shepherd’s lament, Galina Durmushliiska.

English version: Milena Daynova