Biography
Bulgarka Junior Quartet was formed in 1989 in Plovdiv (Bulgaria), as the initiator for the formation of the group is Rumyana Tsintsarska (Folklore Music Editor in Bulgarian National Radio Folk Music who managed the successful performance of Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares ensemble (translated as "The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices") in collaboration with Marcel Cellier).
The concept behind the name of the formation - Bulgarka Junior Quartet comes from Latin word "junior" - "young" in English, which was selected coincidentally, as a sign of continuity between generations folk singers - in 1989, when Trio Bulgarka ensemble are at the zenith of their fame and have realized joint projects with musicians such as George Harrison and Kate Bush.
The repertoire of the ensemble covers both traditional Bulgarian folk songs and rearranged Bulgarian folklore music by some of the most notable contemporary composers and interpreters of Bulgarian folk rhythms as Ivan Spassov, Krasimir Kyurkchiyski, Theodosii Spassov, Stefan Mutafchiev, Nikolai Kaufman, Dimitar Trifonov and others.
The initial ensemble of the quartet include singers Christina Anastasova, Fanka Koynarova, Vichka Nikolova and Tonka Koleva who were members of Trakia Ensemble at the time. As vocalists at Trakia Ensemble the four folk singers were among the first Bulgarian artists who sang on the stage of Olympia Hall in Paris, France.
The first album of the quartet was recorded in 1989 and was released by Mega Music Label. The promotion of the album started at MIDEM Festival in Cannes, France.
Between 1989 and 1993 Bulgarka Junior Quartet had several concert tours in Finland, Israel, France and participated in the famous Wagner Days (Festspiele). The concert of the ensemble took place in famous Bayreuth Festspielhaus.
At the end of 1993 Vichka Nikolova left the ensemble in pursuit of a solo career.
As of 1994, Bulgarka Junior Quartet members are:
- Christina Anastasova (first soprano) raised and educated in Strandzha folklore tradition. Anastasova graduated with honors Music School "Philip Koutev" Kotel, Bulgaria and the Academy of Music and Dance in Plovdiv and in 1997 she released her first solo album "Living With Strandzhas' Songs"
- Fanka Koynarova (second soprano) who as a child was a part of a youth ensemble in Smolyan, Bulgaria and graduated Music School Shiroka Laka, Bulgaria and Academy of Music and Dance in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. In 1998 Koynarova released a joint album with Mladen Koynarov, and year before that, in 1997 she debuted as solo artist with the project called "A Rhodopa Song".
- Elena Bedeleva (first alto) graduated with honors Music School "Philip Koutev" Kotel, Bulgaria and Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
- Tonka Koleva (contra alto) began singing appearances since childhood as a vocalist of the Children's Folklore Ensemble Haskovo and graduated with honors Music School "Philip Koutev" Kotel, Bulgaria and и Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts Plovdiv, Bulgaria. In 1994 she released her first solo album "Walnut Leaf".
Each of Bulgarka Junior Quartet members come from different Bulgarian folklore region with specific and rich vocal heritage and each one of them was brought with folklore singing as a family tradition and then started professional careers as musicians by own choice. All this, and the fact that they are musically educated contribute to their professional growth through long years of artistic career. [1] [2] [3]
