Bulgarian saint, composer, music theorist, Yoan Kukuzel (John Koukouzeles) is one of the most significant figures in church music during the Middle Ages. Born in 1280 from a Bulgarian mother, he was educated in the singing school in Constantinople. He was gifted with an extremely beautiful voice and since early age people called him Angeloglasniyat (The Angel-Voiced). Yoan Kukuzel is considered the first Bulgarian composer.

Some 50 years ago a documentary about the life of St. Yoan Kukuzel was created- the first Bulgarian piece of filmmaking in which church music is heard, according to Tanya Doganova - Hristova, the only still living member of the creative team. Back at that time the film needed to receive the approval of the Arts Council. It was accepted, but did not reach the audience – the documentary was stopped by representatives of the government responsible for "ideological purity" in socialist Bulgaria. When working on the film, Ms. Hristova was allowed to include only a few minutes of music created by Kukuzel. The explanation was that it was unacceptable for religious works to sound outside the temples, as it was considered "religious propaganda." But Ms. Hristova, who is a renowned choral conductor, organized recordings of at least ten beautiful hymns that sound throughout the documentary. For this reason, "The Angel- voiced" was banned in Bulgaria. However, almost immediately, the film was sold to some 40 countries worldwide and later shown in almost all Bulgarian cultural centers abroad. The premiere of the documentary in Bulgaria is on December 2, 2016 in City Mark Art Center. "A late but true encounter," Tanya Hristova says about the event. The premiere is also celebrated with a concert of works by John Koukouzeles, performed by the St. Kliment Ohridski university choir for ancient music, conducted by Krasimira Tsotsomanova as well as the Children of Orpheus choir conducted by Venezia Karamanova.

Tanya Doganova - Hristova is the founder and longtime artistic director of the Yoan Kukuzel chamber ensemble- a male choir that has been performing the music of the first Bulgarian composer worldwide for decades.

 “Yoan Kukuzel created the early compositional style in the art of music. Two centuries later this virtuosity that is present in the vocal works of Kukuzel is seen in the works of Mozart. Kukuzel’s works are extremely difficult for singers to perform, especially some of the chants. We should not forget another very important contribution - he reformed Byzantine neume notation. He was an amazing person and his music is very beautiful. We should be proud that Kukuzel is of Bulgarian origin. I am sure that the documentary, will attract great interest despite the fact it is 50-years-old.” Tanya Doganova – Hristova says.

The audio file features the following works:

.   Children of Orpheus Choir -Te Ri Rem

.    Polyeleos to the Bulgarian Woman performed by „Children of Orpheus"

 . “Vladiku I Svyashtenonachalnika” - Yulangelo

 .   Dostoyno est - Yoan Kukuzel Chamber Ensemble 

.   Children of Orpheus

English: Alexander Markov