Macedonian Postcards

On July 28, 2023, Stefče Stojkovski invited Dragi to his radio show on Macedonian National Radio, and interviewed him for the next 2 hours. He asked questions about his childhood, mother, interest in singing and dancing, music career, recordings, and past and current projects and performances in the United States. The interview includes 12 recordings from Dragi‘s CD with Stefče, and the audio from an international Macedonian song video project made during the pandemic. A bilingual transcript of this episode, with links, can be downloaded at https://izvormusic.com/podcasts/macedonian-postcards/episodes/transcripts/episode-59-dragi-interview-with-stefce-transcript-bilingual.pdf

This episode begins our new series on singers and songs. Today we are featuring the legendary vocalist Bonda Dimiškova, who was related to and served as a role model for Vaska Ilieva. Dragi talks about how he came into contact with her family, details about her aristic and often tragic life, and her influence on other singers who followed her. A bilingual transcript of this episode can be downloaded at https://izvormusic.com/podcasts/macedonian-postcards/episodes/transcripts/Episode-58-Bonda-Dimiskova-transcript-bilingual.pdf

This episode marks the conclusion of the podcasts of the 54 songs in Dragi's 3-CD set. We will be continuing the show after this episode with more wonderful songs, but are delighted to have reached this milestone after 16 years. Dragi learned this song from his mother, Rajna, and it was the last song he talked with her about before she died. It is a ballad about two lovers with tragic consequences.

Dragi discusses the long history of the Ohridski Trubaduri, who originally recorded this love song. He also talks at length about the wonderful vocalist Vanja Lazarova.

Dragi talks about some of the traditions found in line dancing, and some ways romancing was carried out. He then spends the majority of the podcast talking about the extraordinary legendary vocalist Vaska Ilieva.

Dragi talks about the four major women's vocal groups from Aegean Macedonia, how they came to be formed, and the importance of cultural context and hidden meanings in songs.

This love song from the Debar region features the wonderful singer, Kiril Mančevski. Dragi also talks about ornamentation, and wedding traditions.

Dragi discusses another of his mother's songs, from the Kumanovo area. He talks about the differences between čalgija, urban, and izvoren melodies, and how musical arrangement decisions were made for recordings.

Another song from the Tetovo area, originally sung by Olga Sičan, about a girl who cannot marry due to a death in the family. Dragi talks about these customs.

This song, popular throughout Macedonia, was originally recorded by Aleksandar Sarievski. Dragi talks about Sarievski and his contemporaries.

Another song from the repertoire of Dragi's mother, Rajna Spasovska. Dragi continues his discussion of his mother's singing history and her colleagues, including a review of vocalists and groups from the Tetovo and Kumanovo areas.

This well-known ballad about Goce Delčev is sung all over Macedonia. Dragi talks about the first person to record it, Mirvet Belovska, and about some of the many singers who've recorded it since.

This love song from the Tetovo region is an example of how hidden love is expressed in the lyrics. Dragi also talk about Olga Sićan and his recent conversations with her family, and the Gavrovski trios.

This song from SE centra Macedonia describes a brave woman who wards off a potential assault and joins her love to fight in the mountains. Dragi describes other songs with the theme of brave, strong women. He also describes a conversation he had with Vaska Ilieva about how she chose songs to record.

This is a love song of the Macedonian Muslims living in the greater Šar Planina area. Dragi talks the Isjanovska sisters, describes the Macedonian Muslim dialect, and discusses that singing tradition, both its continuity and its evolution.

This ballad is the first of several songs featuring Dragi's mother, Rajna Spasovska. Dragi also talks about Carka Tasevska and other singers from the Kumanovo area.

Dragi first heard this love song from Kumanovo sung by Blaga Videc. He talks about her and about table songs in general.

This is an urban love song from Prilep, home to many singers. Dragi focuses on Jovanka Ivanovska, from whom he first heard the song.

Sung all over Macedonia, this song describes a wedding celebration at a monastery, and whose dancing is the best. Dragi also tells a story about how we got invited to Niš.

Dragi learned this love song, from Radoviš, from Vančo Arsov. He talks about Vančo and the eastern Macedonian dialect.