Theodosii Spassov
Theodosii Spassov is the first Bulgarian musician who successfully synthesizes Bulgarian folk music with other genres, mostly jazz. His first attempts were in his student years, and his project with Milcho Leviev (1990) leads him to the world stage. This is followed by his concerts with Albert Mangelsdorf, with the percussionist from India Trilok Gurtu, the ethno-jazz stars Rabih Abou-Khalil and Glen Velez, the Canadian singer Kareen Young, Andy Sheppard, Mark Johnson, the Greek musicians Dionisis Savopulos, Kostas Theodorou, the world- famous Riverdance formation...
Theodosii Spassov has played with almost all Bulgarian jazz musicians. Recently, he has cooperated with colleagues from the Balkan countries. Together they have launched two projects – “Balkan Horses” and “Balkan Winds.
His music has been warmly applauded in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, Holland, India, Israel, Japan, Nepal, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the U.K., the USA and many more countries.
Music and arrangements:
Theodosii Spassov [1] - [3], [5] - [13]
Yanka Rupkina [4], [7]
Performed by: Theodosii Spassov (kaval, vocals, bagpipe)
Yanka Rupkina (vocals), Boika Velkova (recitatives)
Georgi Petrov (gadulka), Valentin Yankov (tamboura)
Georgi Donchev (bass), Stoyan Yankulov (percussions)
[1] Tum-Pa-Ta-Ta, Takun-Ta-Ta 4'44"
[2] Galeno Horo (For Roumen Sirakov) 5'05"
[3] Ruchenitsa-Ruchkanitsa 4'58"
[4] Lalitsa 2'53"
[5] Momina Muka (The Maiden's Grief) 3'03"
[6] Krai Selo Na Bairite (By the Village, on the Hills) 3'19"
[7] Unnamed 1'25"
[8] Nyakude v Rodopite (Somewhere in the Rhodopes) 5'03"
[9] Graovo Dance 3'57"
[10] Byal Samolet (A White Plane) 7'01"
[11] Manipulation (For Milcho Leviev and "Katumi") 5'25"
[12] Balada za Edna Naduta Gaida
(Ballad about a Puffed up Bagpipe) 5'59"
[13] Welkya (Night Tawny Owl) 3'59"
DDD 57'33''
A legend from Kyustendil region has it: a poor woman had naughty and always hungry children. She got tired of working for the daily bread, which was never enough for her children; she got tired of being kept responsible for their mischief and cursed them. She herself turned into a welkya (night tawny owl). But then her anger receded and she keeps looking for her children to the present day.
This legend has inspired Theodosii Spassov to write his highly impressive piece Welkya. The mythical, the invisible, the impossible, the unexpected turns into a sound reality. And it seems this is exactly what makes Theodosii Spassov unique. Even in the pronouncedly folk pieces his jokes and musical witticisms surprise and amaze with their rich imagination and "jumps" from one genre to another. The artist feels pleasure to "juggle" with them, to "play" with his kaval. And thus everyone is involved in this game, both the musicians and the listeners!
