Stoyan Velichkov, the extremely lyrical, much recorded kaval soloist with the
Orchestra of Folklore Instruments with Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) in Sofia,
died Friday morning, 22. VI. 2008. He had a unique, beautiful tone and was true
to his Strandzha roots regarding musical style. No single kaval player has recorded
as much traditional, high quality kaval music as he has. (He was the subject of a very
interesting book in Bulgarian and English: "The Golden Fingered ....")

May God Have Mercy on Him ! - Eternal Memory !

Aleksandr Iliev - 22. VI. 2008

Sad news. Bai Velichkov, through his many recordings, was one of the very first kavaldzija I ever heard, and it was his mastery, creativity and beautiful tone that inspired myself (and no doubt many of our group) to begin studying and playing the kaval. A true loss for us all, when a master dies.

Thanks for passing this news along, Sasho.