Modern Versions of Traditional Macedonian Folk Songs

Today we explore both traditional and modern versions of Macedonian folk songs.

First, let's start with one of most popular, Makedonsko Devojče (Macedonian Girl). This video is of the traditional version most commonly played at folk dances, and it even has the lyrics in English translation. If you want to sing along in Macedonian, click here:

http://www.dunav.org.il/lyrics/makedonsko_devojce.html



The modern version is glitzy and glamorous. It's performed by Karolina Goceva, a Macedonian pop singer who represented her country in the 2002 and 2007 Eurovision song contest. The little girl with her seems a bit shy up on that stage.



The next song is Jovano, Jovanke, a love song about a man captivated by watching a young woman bleaching some cloth by the Vardar River. One of this month's themes is love songs in keeping with the Valentine's Day holiday. First, listen the traditional version,  and check out the old photos of people in Macedonian folk costumes.



I would describe the next version of Jovano Jovanke as half traditional/half modern.  The reason for this is that the singers, Toše Proeski and Bilja Krstic wear quasi-folk costumes and there is a kaval player accompanying the band. A kaval is also known by the name "shepherd's flute"and is a musical instrument indigenous to the Balkans and parts of the Middle East.

By the way, Proeski was a very popular Macedonian pop singer who was killed in a car accident at the very young age of 26. Fortunately his performances have been preserved on YouTube for us to enjoy; you can see he totally captivated his audiences. He was a very talented man who left this world much too soon.



If you enjoyed this, you may also like Modern Versions of Traditional Bulgarian Folk Songs, parts 1,2 and 3.

Part 1:
http://katleyplanetbg.blogspot.com/2011/06/modern-versions-of-traditional.html

Part 2:
http://katleyplanetbg.blogspot.com/2011/08/modern-versions-of-traditional.html

Part 3:
http://katleyplanetbg.blogspot.com/2012/03/modern-versions-of-traditional.html


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