Radka Aleksova (with Shopski folkloren ansambandûl, Sofiya) – Graovo

Makya Yana sitno plela (Mother Yana was crocheting)
Trûnke, Todorke (Lovely Todorka)
Mesechinko, tsareva nevesto (Oh moon, you Tsar's bride)
Siv sokol leti (A gray falcon is flying)
Chuknali sa Markovite porti (Someone's knocking at Marko's gates)
Sbirayte se, momi, na sedenkya (Come maidens, gather for the working-bee)
Gotsa s ludo sborevala (Gotsa was talking with a madcap)

Yove, Yovke (Oh, Yovka)
Zapali se Yanina planina (The Yanina mountain is on fire)
Zakukala kukuvitsa (A cuckoo began to call)
Proshetna se tûnka Rayna (Slender Raina made her flirting appearance)
Paun mi poe (A peacock is cooing to me)
Slûntse zayde (The sun has set)
Poodi Stoyan, poskita (Stoyan has had a good deal of roaming around)
Tsveto mori (Why, Tsveto)

Radka Alexova is a singer with a style of her own, a performer of folk songs from Western Bulgaria of a distinct individuality.

Born in 1944 in the village of Studena, in the big family of grandmother Yana and grandfather Yordan, she was brought up in an atmosphere of worship to the folk songs and traditions characteristic of this region. The spirit of her native Graovo region is to be strongly felt in the numerous songs grandmother Yana knew, which the peasants from Studena remember to this day. And grandfather Yordan was an unmatched master of playing the gadulka.

Ever since her early childhood folk music has become a vital part of Radka Alexova's life, the would-be singer plunged into its fairy realm. She was only 18 when she became soloist with the Ensemble for Folk Songs and Dances at the House of Culture of the coal miners and power engineers in the town of Pernik. It was there that fate met her with the prominent Bulgarian musician and choral conductor Boyan Nankov. Directed by him, she achieved professional skill and perfection. In 1973 Radka Alexova joined the Bulgarian Television and Radio Folk Song Ensemble which gave her the opportunity to fully reveal her natural talent. She possesses a varied repertoire, her songs are carefully selected, her vocal range is finely nuanced.

With particular affection she performs songs from the Graovo region. Some of the most famous are Sbirayte se momi na sedenkya (Come, maidens, gather for the working-bee), Makya Yana sitno plela (Mother Yana was crocheting), Sluntse zayde (The sun has set), Chuknali se Markovite Porti (Someone's knocking at Marko's gates). Her duet performances with Elena Dimitrova are also very popular.

Radka Alexova has recorded over 50 songs for the Bulgarian National Radio. She has taken part in a number of TV Programs and has appeared many times at concerts throughout Europe, Asia, and America. At the 12th International Radio Competition sponsored by Radio Bratislava in 1983 her performance of the song Zapali se Yanina planina (The Yanina mountain is on fire) was awarded the first prize and a gold medal.

By this release Radka Alexova will surely gain new friends, will enrich our collection of melodious folk songs, and will doubtlessly fascinate the listener with her genuine devotion. – Emiliya Maksimova