Vocal Soundscapes of Southern Bulgaria

Perunika Trio

Introducing Perunika Trio (INTRO109CD, 2008)

Eugenia Georgieva, Victoria Mancheva and Victoria Evstatieva form a vocal ensemble called Perunika. Although they are Bulgarians, they live in England and met through the London Bulgaria Choir.

The enthralling pieces selected for their debut album, Introducing Perunika Trio, come from southern Bulgaria. The songs include laments from Strandja, melancholic chants from Rhodope, Thracian love songs, asymmetric Pirin diaphony and clashing sounds and the ‘hiccupping’ style from Shopsko.

The three musicians come from various backgrounds (classical, rock, traditional), but they share their passion for Bulgaria's vocal tradition. Bulgaria's vocal tradition is rich and varied, due to historical factors. Bulgarians were forbidden by the Ottomans to wear clothes of color other than black, grey and brown and musical instruments were limited. So the human voice became the main outlet for creativity both as folk music and to glorify God in Orthodox churches. 

Buy the CD:

• In North America: Introducing Perunika Trio
• In Europe: Introducing Perunika Trio