Heartbeat of Bulgaria: Theodosii Spassov & Balkan Tales October 23, 2011

World Music Institute presents

Heartbeat of Bulgaria:
Theodosii Spassov & Balkan Tales

Sunday, October 23, 2011 7:00 PM
Peter Norton Symphony Space
2537 Broadway @ 95th Street

Bulgarian national icon Theodosii Spassov, stunning vocalist Vlada Tomova, and innovative sitarist Chris Rael come together in this exciting program that brilliantly weaves the joyous folk traditions of Bulgaria with world sounds. Bulgarian kaval (eight-hole wooden shepherd’s flute) virtuoso Theodosii Spassov is one of Eastern Europe’s leading musicians and a musical hero in Bulgaria. Vlada Tomova, founder of the New York Bulgarian women’s choir Yasna Voices, has been acclaimed for her powerful vocalizations that evoke the stark, rich spirit of Balkan mountainsides and fields; her ensemble Balkan Tales encompasses Bulgarian folk, jazz and pop, often in thrilling odd-metered time. Chris Rael, leader of Church of Betty, displays elegant sounds that recall the Bulgarian culture shaped by ancient Eastern migrations. The program includes selections from the new CD Balkan Tales (Kuker Music) - which features original arrangements of Bulgarian traditional songs - as well as two compositions by Spassov and Rael influenced by Bulgarian and Indian folk styles, respectively.

For more info: http://wminyc.org/event.php?id=1191 or 212-545-7536