Bulgarian wedding music is a genre of Svatbarska muzika (Bulgarian: сватбарска музика) or a "wedding music" style that evolved in the late 1960s in Bulgaria. Its popularity has spread in Europe and North America. This style of music is performed elaborately in weddings in a festive atmosphere, and also on other happy occasions. It was not given state privilege initially by the socialist regime of Bulgaria as it was considered folk music.[1] The music is a fusion of "an eclectic array" of Bulgarian, Romani, Turkish and Macedonian music and is very popular in the southern Balkan region.[2] Following the end of the People's Republic of Bulgaria in 1989, the popularity of wedding music has soared.[1]
Ivo Papazov, a musician of Turkish and Romani origin, is the leading proponent of ensembled wedding music. A saxophonist, he introduced clarinet into the ensemble. However, his music generated controversy during the communist regime which continues even now among Bulgarians as there was perceptible influence of Turkish music and Romani music (Gipsy music). Yuri Yunakov also of Turkish Roma (Gipsy) origin was a member of Ivo Papazov's ensemble.[1] Yunakov has popularized Bulgarian wedding music in the United States and his music band presents a "number of dances at breakneck speed, warbling their instruments all the way".[3]
- ^ a b c "The Clarinet in Bulgarian Wedding Music: An Introduction (Abstract)". The International Clarinet Association. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2013.
- ^ Slobin 1996, p. 203.
- ^ Adam Greenberg. "Bulgarian-wedding-music: Review". All Music.com. Retrieved 24 August 2013.