The fifth edition of the Black Sea Sounds International Festival (3-7 June) will be remembered with the diverse competition program, quite productive choral music workshops, concerts, discussions, informal meetings and many new friendships.

„After the five days in Balchik, I officially declare myself ambassador of this wonderful festival in the lovely Black Sea town of Balchik”, said Mrs. Elžbieta Wtorkowska, conductor of Canzona women's choir from Poland.

„I expected that the festival would proceed at a high level. However, what I saw and heard here surpassed my expectations. Its concept and organization are excellent thanks to Valentina Georgieva, the event's artistic director and member of the jury”, said Zlatomira Vassileva, conductor of Katajanmarjat children's choir from Finland that won the Grand Prix, a statuette and a diploma for the future of Europe. With her husband Ognian Vassilev she has for decades been living in the town of Pori. There the Bulgarian woman has established a big choral school with three different choirs.

The children's choir Canzona received a prize for the wonderful interpretation of Rainbow by Bulgarian composer Victor Chuchkov.

Another prize went to the Dutch chamber choir Belle Voci with conductor Nedyalka Todorova. A graduate of the National School of Music she has been working with the choir since 2012, project-based.

„The festival is over, but I have a big problem - my singers do not want to go back home, they want to stay here for a while”, said young Dunja Deurić, conductor of the Sonia Marinkovic choir from Novi Sad, Serbia.

„I should like to thank you for your hospitality”, she continues. “Well, it would be better to make it longer. The workshops were very useful but I am still under the great impression of the performance of the Cosmic Voices choir led by Vania Moneva. I loved it, even cried! This has been the first international competition in my career, and I am happy it took place in Bulgaria.”

„What makes this festival different is that it is organized by a choir seeking to make it useful and productive for its fellow choirs”, explains Valentina Georgieva, conductor of the Black Sea Sounds choir, the host of the event. “As a choral conductor I am well aware what is needed for choirs to feel comfortable. I think we have successfully promoted a working concept for the competition. Choral workshops represent another important format that we work on. Starting a workshop for Bulgarian folklore was something very useful for both Bulgarian and foreign singers. This year we were happy to work with Vania Moneva, a great professional.”

Vania Moneva, member of the jury and head of the choral workshop, said: „Choral art is about love, and singers should be led by someone they have faith in and whom they love. I felt the great joy streaming from the stage and this made the atmosphere at the festival absolutely incredible.”  

Composer Georgi Arnaudov, member of the jury, has written two works especially for the festival. Under his guidance the choirs learned the songs and sang them at the gala. Whether they are going to add them to their repertoires is a matter of choice. Still, coming into touch with contemporary Bulgarian music helps enrich and expand creative contacts, in fact, one of the goals of the festival's organizers.

„Singing in a large group is a moral act, a moral vehicle for the community”, argues Prof. Georgi Arnaudov. “I am happy to see how the participants, about 500, feel about music. Black Sea Sounds is a really important Bulgarian festival. We from the Union of Bulgarian Composers will do our best to boost our support and cooperation with this worthy forum.”

In conclusion we should say that the festival has benefited also from the firm support of Balchik Mayor Nikolay Angelov and of the Music World Society.

English Daniela Konstantinova 

Photos: Albena Bezovska

The audio file contains the following works:

1/ Forest Telegram, in the rendition of Katajanmarjat children's choir from Finland

2/ Rainbow by Victor Chuchkov performed by Canzona choir, conductor Adrianna Wtorkowska-Kubinska

3/ Ratchenitsa by Dobry Christov in the rendition of Belle Voci choir, conductor Nedyalka Todorova.

4/ The Young Master Went Asleep in the rendition of the Cosmic Voices choir, conductor Vania Moneva