Balkanology

Ivo Papasov (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 19, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hannibal
• ASIN: B00000061X
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #169,033 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #17 in Music > World Music > Europe > Eastern Europe > Bulgaria

Track Listings

1. Mladeshki Dance (Turkish)

2. Hristianova Kopanitsa

3. Istoria Na Edna Lyubov (Love Story)

4. Ivo's Ruchenitsa (Love Story)

5. Song For Baba Nedelya

6. Ergenski Dance (Macedonian)

7. Mominsko Horo

8. Tziganska Ballada (Romanian Gypsy)

9. Veseli Zborni (Marriage Song)

10. Proleten Dance (Greek)

11. Kasapsko Horo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a marriage of the new world & the old world, May 26, 2000

By 

"jovaldo" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Balkanology (Audio CD)

I agree with the previous reviewer in that one should not be scared away by the term "Wedding Music" when referring to Bulgarian popular music. The popular music of Bulgaria flourished around weddings because that was one event the state government didn't control. Clubs were often shut down, so weddings became the premier venue in which to see the country's top performers. Those days are gone (thankfully) and the music is now beginning to make its way around the world. This music is an interesting mix of jazz, rock, and popular music from the entire Balkan region. This CD contains music from Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece, Romania, Macedonia and the Rom people (gyspies.) It is utterly astounding to see what new levels these performers have taken these instruments to. You've never heard clarinets, accordians, and saxophones do things like this. Combine those three instruments with bass, drums and guitar and you've got an eclectic mix. The odd time signatures (9/8, 11/16, etc.), the rapid fire tempos they're capable of, and the bizarre key changes these guys are capable of will simply astound you. The female singer (only on 3 songs) has an ethereal voice that is typical of the fine tradition of Thracian singers. Not only are these amazing musicians with incredible imagination & skill...they know how to play fun music that will make you want to dance (it is wedding music after all!)

Highly recommended to the adventurous!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like no other music you ever heard; a guaranteed mind blower, August 16, 2000

By 

TUCO H. "H. TUCO" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Balkanology (Audio CD)

This must be the most virtuosic clarinet record ever. In addition this kind of music is never heard of in America; it's real exotic stuff. These Bulgarian/Turkish tunes, though apparently wedding music (!), are played at extremely fast tempos; two are in 7/8, one is in 11/16 (!). They're all vehicles for non stop wailing by Papasov who is probably the greatest clarinet player on the planet.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars with all the trouble in the balkans,this cd is the good side, August 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Balkanology (Audio CD)

this absolutely fantastic cd covers music not only from bulgaria but turkey, romanian (rom/gypsy), macedonian, serbian and greek. its a wonderfully arranged compilation of the best rythmic, jazz and soul music to ever come out of the balkans, ivo papasov is up there with the kings of balkan music such as Tode Ognenovski, Ferus Mustafov, and Dragan Alifermovic...absolutley sensational for all jazz and soul lovers.