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Theodosii Spassov and Nikola Iliev

'Na Trapeza'

(GD207)

'This is a very unusual, indeed a unique, recording of Bulgarian folk music in terms of it being performed exclusively on clarinet and kaval. The astonishing virtuosity of these two performers is evident in their incredibly intricate and endlessly changing creativity, and dense and fluid melodic ornaments.

Theodosii SPASSOV and Nikola ILIEV are two names long familiar to folk-music lovers Theodosii Spassov is known from his numerous appearances, brilliant as ever, always in quest of innovation and always offering something new and exciting. Nikola lliev, who has spent over 35 years with the Konushenska Group, has served faithfully the numerous admirers of Thracian folk music. They make their music without any infatuation with fashionable effects and commercial tricks of the day. A chance meeting in ~w York during the successive visit of the two in the USA gave birth to the idea to record together, without an orchestra, i.e. without rhythm and harmony. That is how the music included in this release saw the light of the day Na Trapeza (At the Table) is music for all who love the genuine, original sincerity coming from the soul and the heart and supported by the great artistic resources of the two musicians. It is as if "Na Trapeza" is music meant for a family reunion or a working-bee, or for the closest friends to whom you remind of old masters (Nikola Lenovctsa, Georgi Koev, Assen Dimitrov) and it brings a yearning for happy moments spent together with friends and music you love. Most of the pieces are slow tunes, started and carried on by one or the other of the two instruments, the kaval and the clarinet. This "chat" seems to fascinate the two performers while they are improvising. They rarely use a rhythm and at one time even break into singing. Thus their slow tunes are aimed at quenching the listeners' thirst for genuine folk music.'

"Theodosii Spassov Is unquestionably the greatest virtuoso of Bulgaria's shepherd flute, the kaval, and in his hands the simple tube of wood pierced by holes is capable of an astonishing range of sounds, effects and endless subtleties of phrasing. On the first of these CDs he is joined by clarinetist Nikola Iliev to produce a demonstration of what can be done with Bulgaria's na trapeza ('music for listening') tradition, using the most restricted of means.

Each player gets a chance to explore the capabilities of their instrument in sustained solos, and they combine in duets where extraordinary extemporised meditations on song-tunes give way to intricate, high-speed dance melodies played in Immaculate unison or precisely realised harmony. The echoing spaces of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church in New York where the disc was recorded complement the sound and feeling of the two musicians beautifully. It's a splendid, restful and intelligent piece of work which repays repeated listening..."

Kim Burton
Songlines Magazine

GBP 8.97

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Theodosii Spassov and Nikola Iliev

'Na Trapeza'

(GD207)

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Tracks


1. Kakvo Mi Chudo Stanalo (8'27")
2. Clarinet Solo (10'27)
3 Gano, Gano (2'09")
4. Kine Le ( 10'09")
4. Chorbajiyskata (5'00")
6. Kaval Solo (10'51")
7. Kakvo Mi Chudo Stanalo (2) (15'04")

Duration (63'02")

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