Musicians: Ivo Papasov - clarinet
with: Kosta Kolev, Dimiter Trifonov - arrangements, conductor Peter Ralchev - accordion Trifon Trifonov - saxophone Yuri Yanakov
Stefan Angelov
Neshko Neshev
Thrace Orchestra
and other orchestras
Label - Balkanton, Bulgaria
Released - 2000
From sleeve notes:
'Born on February 16, 1952 in the town of Kurdjali, the son of a clarinetist,
Ivo Papazov was destined for a musical career from his earliest
years. An unfailing companion to his father at weddings and fairs, Ivo
used to listen to Kirisha, the famous clarinetist at the time. How and
when he began playing, he himself cannot give an account of, yet he remembers
that one day his father and other musicians heard him play and were stunned
by his tone and interpretation. It was decided for sure - Ivo would study
in a children's music school with clarinet teacher Peter Philipov.
That was how the career of talented clarinetist Ivo Papasov began.
Later he got interested in Petko Radev's style of performance in
the field of Bulgarian folk music which he quickly mastered...
Ivo Papasov is a musician whose playing is based on both tradition
and invention on the spur of the moment and this is achieved by someone
who plays his instrument without efforts. His instrumental technique and
talent of improvisation have been admired by many a famous musician. What
Ivo impresses with, is his fluency in the different keys and registers
of his instrument, in various rhythmic forms, in the long musical phrases.
And all this is based upon the sound instrumental tradition of Bulgarian
folklore, without the introduction of foreign elements, motifs or manner
of performance. Probably this is the reason for his being one of the most
sought-after and listened-to folk musicians in Bulgaria.
Significant is the contribution to the success of record of the orchestra
soloists Peter Ralchev -
accordinn and Triton Trifonov - saxophone, as well as of the arrangers
Kosta Kolev and Dimiter Trifonov'.
Manol Todorov
'As a creator of contemporary Balkan music, he long ago became part of
global culture.
Thirty years ago, in 1974, long before Balkan music was discovered on
the major music scene, Ivo Papasov started his revolution with
his Trakija Band. At the time he could hardly have known that he was creating
a new movement, later known as wedding band music, a mix of Bulgarian
and Balkan folk with contemporary elements. His work changed the face
of Bulgarian and world music and developed it in new directions.
No wonder his fans around the world call him the King of Wedding Band
Music. In deference to his amazing talent, Bulgarians call him the Aga
(the Master). And Papasov really is part of the best moments of
their lives. His music resounds not only at major concert venues, but
also at the important days of their lives, their weddings and family celebrations.
Ivo Papasov works with world-renowned musicians like Milcho Leviev,
Peter Ralchev,
Teodosii Spasov, Antoni Donchev, Johnny Griffin, Hector Zazou, Okay
Temiz, Glen Velez, Kepa Junkera, Arild Andersen,
Kalman Balogh, Iva Bitova, Sergei Starostin; he plays at festivals
in Paris, Salzburg, Tilburg, Krakow, Budapest, the Sodra Teatern in Stockholm,
the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York, the Moers Festival, TFF Rudolstadt,
Schloss Elmau, the Palais des Beaux-Arts in Brussels, Ronnie Scott’s in
London, etc., etc.
'Ivo's wedding music, played first thing in the morning, provides thorough
and long-lasting attitude adjustment for the busy executive.' FRANK ZAPPA
'With a huge gut and unwieldy frame, Ivo Papasov seems an unlikely
source for some of the most nimble and virtuoso music you’ll be left in
little doubt that he’s one of most interesting clarinetists around. He
and his band race through numbers based on the complex rhythms of Bulgarian
folk dances, grafting on jazzy improvisations.' SIMON BROUGHTON editor: THE ROUGH GUIDE TO WORLD MUSIC