Gaytani – Ruse

Lyuben Ostretsov, Tsvetan Banev, Valentin Angelov, Rumen Uzunov, Dinko Popov

Proletno horo (Spring horo)
Stanke le, mome hubava (Hey, Stanka, beautiful maiden)
Sitno severnyashko horo
Dafinka platno tûcheshe (Dafinka was weaving a cloth)
Elenino horo
Shto si, libe, posûrnalo (Why are you cast down, sweetheart)

Dragashvoyvodsko horo
Idi mi, mamo, poiskay (Go, mother, and ask)
Kopanitsa
Pasla e Radka stado (Radka grazed the herd)
Belensko horo
Momche kundurdzhiyche (A boy shoemaker)

The Gaytani [Rom] Orchestra from Ruse ranks among the most popular groups performing Northern Bulgarian music in the country. It was set up in 1978; since then it has been greatly supported by the LIHS (Local Industry and Household Service) and the DCU (District Co-operative Union) in Ruse. Their artistic activities have been quite fruitful so far; they have recorded for Bulgarian Radio and Bulgarian Television, they have cut a record with Balkanton, they have had successful tours at home and abroad; now their second record has been released.

Following the best traditions established so far, the Gaytani Orchestra have been aspiring towards an interesting and original way of development of their own. They have successfully furnished their repertoire with North Bulgarian horos and a vocal male trio: Tsvetan Banev (rhythm guitar), Rumen Uzunov (percussions), and Dinko Popov (bass).

The songs performed with an orchestra accompaniment were originally found in Northern Bulgaria, later the composer Kosta Kolev arranged them. The trio varies and enriches the Ensemble's performance with their accord, expressive phrasing, and beautiful timbre. These characteristics set them very much apart from other folk orchestras, the more so as Bulgarian folk songs are presented in such a way only by the Gaytani Orchestra.

Lyuben Ostretsov (accordion), the orchestra's director and Valentin Angelov (clarinet) are also among the Ensemble's soloists. Bulgarian listeners are familiar with Lyuben Ostretsov from his recordings for Bulgarian Radio. His instrumental technique is brilliant, he has managed to preserve the style of instrumental music performance from his native region of Nikopol. Valentin Angelov is a young musician, yet his mastered and beautiful sound flows out in absolute lightness, combined with flourishing technical skill.

The pieces included herewith present the overall character of the Ensemble as a vocal-instrumental group.

The Gaytani as they call them in Ruse are all young people who conscientiously and perseveringly seek individual perfection in the group work of the Ensemble. Their talented and skilful performance of Northern Bulgarian horos, no matter whether fast and lively or of a broadly flowing melody, comes from the bottom of their hearts.

The Gaytani Orchestra's award for their love and dedication to Northern Bulgarian music lies in their ever-increasing popularity among all listeners and in the fact that their performances have recently been in great demand among young people as well. – Lyudmila Grigorova-Kondova

Recorded at Lyudmila Zhivkova National Palace of Culture in June, 1987.

Recorded at the studio of Radio Shumen in February, 1987.