This episode features the wonderful Bulgarian gadulka player Hristina Beleva, and this project would not have been possible without the generous translation and voice-overs from fellow musician Milena Krassi. Milena was with us during the interview and it’s mostly her voice that you’ll be hearing. Hristina is a virtuoso of the traditional bowed instrument of Bulgaria, the gadulka, which looks a bit like an upside-down violin, with usually 3 main strings and several resonating strings, up to 16. Hristina performs as a soloist with the Ensemble Philip Koutev Folk Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio, the Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices, Bulgara, the Milanov-Beleva duo, and is featured on the  2019 Grammy nominated album with David Kuckhermann and Lisa Gerrard,  “Hiraeth”. Hristina recently released a wonderful duo album with bass player Vasil Hajigrudev,  “Trikop”. This episode features lots of music, and we talk about both traditional music and her fusion collaborations.

The video version of this episode is here: https://www.leahroseman.com/episodes/hristina-beleva-gadulka-player

Support this series! https://ko-fi.com/leahroseman

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Intro 

(01:38) gadulka performance: Ruchenitsa traditional Bulgarian folk dance

( 03:11) - " Hubava si Moia Goro" You are Beautiful My Forest" - old Bulgarian song

( 03:25) introduction to the instrument and the modal tradition

( 09:12) Hristina’s fusion projects and collaborations: Vasil Hajigrudev, Peter Milanov, Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices, David Kuckhermann and Lisa Gerrard (15:32) “Melancholy Beauty” by Georgy Andreev story of the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews during the Holocaust 

(17:29) experience during pandemic lockdowns 

(19:32) gadulka performance 

(20:42) traditional dances of Bulgaria 

(22:05) traditional folklore orchestra of ensemble Philip Koutev 

(24:20) demonstration with improvisations of different musical modes 

(27:16) comparison of different instruments and traditions

( 28:06) Hristina’s development as a musician

photo credit: Ivelina Milanova