This 190-page book by Bulgarian kaval master Lyuben Dossev unveils
the mysteries of ornamentation of the Bulgarian wooden end-blown
shepherd’s flute, the kaval. It
contains over 150 diagrams of musical examples played by Professor
Dossev on the accompanying CD. A collection of songs is included
with notated kaval ornamentation, which are played on the CD
solo, and also accompanying vocalist Tanya Dosseva.
In this Handbook, musician, scholar, and teacher Dr. Lyuben Tsvetanov
Dossev details the techniques of ornamentation that have been used in
Bulgarian Thrace by master players of the kaval, an end-blown flute
found in the Balkan region of eastern Europe. He provides a consistent
system for notating these ornaments, which have been handed down by
oral tradition for generations. It is the practical application of theoretical
material discussed in his doctoral dissertation, “Typical Techniques
in the Thracian Style of Kaval Playing.” An audio compact disc
is included of Dr. Dossev playing all the musical examples in the book.
Lyuben Dossev was born in Pleven, Bulgaria, in 1953. His father,
Tsvetan Dossev, was a professional kaval player with the Severnyaski
Folklore Ensemble, and started him playing kaval at the age of seven.
He later graduated from the Plovdiv Music High school (today “Dobrin
Petkov”), and subsequently from the Music and Pedagogy Institute
in Plovdiv.
Dr. Dossev taught kaval at the High School for Folk Music in
Shiroka Lŭka, as well as the Music and Pedagogy Institute. Since
1979, he has taught kaval, chamber ensemble and folk orchestra at the
Plovdiv Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts, where he now holds the
position of Dean of the Department of Music Folklore, Choreography and
Arts. He has worked with numerous performing groups, including Ensemble
Trakiya in Plovdiv, the folk orchestra of Plovdiv Regional Radio and
Television, and Bulgarian National Radio and Television in Sofia. He
founded the International Folk Seminar which takes place each summer
at the Academy, and continues to be active in its production each year.
An exceptionally talented award-winning performer, Dr. Dossev
has given concerts live and on television and radio in Bulgaria, Europe,
Asia and the United States. His respect for the rich fund of old Bulgarian
folk music can be felt in the series of recordings entitled “To
the Bulgarian Folklore With Love” which he produced in association
with Iliana Bozhanova. He has collaborated with American colleagues
to publish a series of CDs and books of lesser-known Bulgarian master
musicians.
Dr. Dossev is always sharing his knowledge and skills, and
encouraging young performers worldwide in the art of Bulgarian folk
music.
