The third concert from the “Music in portraits” series by the Bulgarian National Radio’s Folk Music Orchestra is at 7 PM tonight, 23 February at the BNR’s Studio No. 1.

Here is Dimitar Hristov, conductor of the acclaimed orchestra with more about the soloists, taking part in the concert and the music they will perform:

“This is a one of our very special projects, offering a close-up of an array of musicians who have made their contribution and left their mark on Bulgarian musical culture. This year’s edition features one formation and two soloists. I shall begin with the ladies from Bulgarka Junior Quarter – magnificent singers, who started performing together in the early 90s with the Trakia ensemble. In fact, their talent was discovered by foremost musicologist Rumyana Tsintsarska. Hristina Anastasova, Elena Bedeleva, Fanka Koynarova and Tonka Koleva possess delightful voices, they are wonderful soloists and we shall hear them perform songs arranged by soloists from our orchestra – Angel Dimitrov, Kostadin Genchev, as well as Marek Dyakov.  Bulgarka Junior are not all that well known to the public in this country but the singers have been touring the world extensively, earning the admiration of audiences and experts alike. The second guest performer is Krasimir Kondov, who is better known for his musical arrangements. He has recorded many pieces with the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Music Orchestra and is currently chief artistic director of the Ivan Vulev ensemble, a man of compelling work with a major contribution as a pedagogue. He will be playing his own virtuoso bagpipe pieces, composed expressly for this concert. And last, but not least – Matyo Dobrev, who needs no special presentation, as an array of musicians, and not just kaval-players, have learnt the trade from the exquisite melodies he has created through the years. As we like to say, here in Bulgaria, there is not a homestead where his name is not known. In recent years he has been performing mostly on the big stage, as a member of the Ivo Papazov orchestra. It gives me and my colleagues real pleasure to share the stage with him. He has not made a single solo recording for the BNR audio library, so this concert will be a precious contribution to it. The arrangements for his performances are the work of Peyo Peev. It will be a concert of wonderful music, performed by outstanding soloists.”

English version: Milena Daynova