At the crossroads of Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Thrace, the Rhodope mountain range forms a true cultural crossroads at the heart of the Balkans, between Greece and Turkey. A land of mythology, pagan and religious cults, these mountains are also a place of mystery and music, said to be the birthplace of the legendary bard Orpheus.

The artists of Ensemble Rodopi have been exploring this world since the early 1990s, in Thrace and Macedonia. The instruments they play, both in their forms and playing techniques, reflect the encounters between East and West, and their combinations of timbres create a remarkably rich sonic palette.

Their repertoire is also rooted in the choreographic traditions of the region, featuring typically Balkan dances with complex rhythms and asymmetrical patterns, expressing both the strength of the collective and the energy of the individual.

These musicians do not limit themselves to performing on stage: they also take an active part in local life through the many traditional festivities that mark the year. This social involvement forms the basis of the close bond that unites them. When the musicians begin a kopanitsa (a Bulgarian dance with particularly inventive rhythms) or a pravo horo (a circle dance widely practiced across the Balkans), an entire village seems to move together, recreating the deep connection between music, dance, and community.

Ensemble Rodopi:

Drosos Koutsokostas: lauto and vocals
Kyriakos Petras: violin
Nikos Angousis: clarinet
Alkis Zopoglou: kanun (zither)
Yorgos Pagozidis: percussion

Concert recorded by RTS Espace 2.