This is a festive edition, bringing you some of the best performances of Bulgarian choral music.

We start with Orthodox Choir Bulgaria conducted by Valentin Bobevski. Mr. Bobevski is a distinguished Bulgarian musician and conductor, and honorary chairman of the Bulgarian choral union. He has contributed a lot to the promotion and continuation of the traditions in Bulgarian choral singing. He is well known for his longtime work and presence in Bulgaria’s cultural life. For more than half a century, he has been the conductor of three remarkable choral groups - world-famous male choir Gusla that has had phenomenal success across the world, of the mixed choir Saint Sophia, and of the Bulgaria ensemble for Orthodox music. Mr. Bobevski has personally carried out research of old Orthodox chants for this choir.
Next we offer you one of them - Troparion to Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius, the creators of the Bulgarian alphabet. The performance is of Bulgaria Orthodox ensemble:

Bulgarian choral art has long become world famous. The excellent performances of Bulgarian choirs fascinate audiences worldwide.
One of these remarkable groups is Saint Sophia choir that has a rich biography of concerts and festival awards. Its repertoire comprises all sorts of works by Bulgarian and classic composers, religious chants, and contemporary songs. The choir has had amazing achievements under the baton of Maestro Valentin Bobevski. From 14 to 16th May this year, the choir took part in the 20th edition of the International Choir Competition called Tetovo Choir Evenings in Macedonia. The singers performed on the stage of the town theater hall, in Saint Athanasius Church in the vicinity of Tetovo and Saint Sophia Church in Ochrid.
Next on the program, we offer you one of the most well known Orthodox chants written by the outstanding Bulgarian composer Dobri Hristov. This is the chant “In Thy Kingdom” in the rendition of Mixed Choir Saint Sophia. 

Next on the program, we have another prominent Bulgarian choir, again conducted by Valentin Bobevski. This is the Gusla male choir- a group of 85 years of history, thousands of concerts in 52 countries and 22 awards. After its last year’s success at the international choir festival in the town of Serres, Greece, the group will take part in the festival again.
We give you next two performances of Gusla male choir – an Orthodox chant by Francisk Hubick and a Bulgarian folk song.

And the last song today will be another choral performance, but this time we offer you not of an Orthodox chant, but of a well-known classic of Bulgarian folklore. The song Shto mi e milo i drago i sone of the best-loved folk songs in this country, and a must in the repertoire of Bulgarian folk ensembles.
So, Gusla ensemble with the song Shto mi e milo i drago from the folklore region of Macedonia.
This was the last song in this festive edition of TOM, dedicated to the day of Bulgarian Alphabet and Culture, and featuring some of the best performances of three acclaimed Bulgarian choirs, all conducted by distinguished Bulgarian conductor Valentin Bobevski.

English version: Rossitsa Petkova