Dunav Balkan Group

Since they began in 1964 they have played all over the UK and abroad, presenting their version of the wonderful music of the Balkan countries: Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia, Greece, Macedonia, Croatia, Albania and the Aroman people. Proud of their amateur status, they aim to recreate the traditional styles without adulteration. This common interest and their close friendship kept them together, rehearsing once a week to get ready for forthcoming gigs, learn new pieces, keep their enormous repertoire fresh and just to enjoy the music and each other's company.

FAREWELL TO NAREN

With profound sadness, we report that our co-Founder and old friend
Narendra Kotiyan, shown above with the big drum, died on 26 January
2019. But on 25 May we and more than 100 friends celebrated his life
with a Balkan dance party called 'Remembering Naren'.

The Robin Hood Youth Orchestra
of Nottingham launched a youtube on 6 May of their talented young musicians playing --- during COVID-19 lockdown --- their arrangement of a Bulgarian Kopernica melody which we call Gankino. Dunav sent their Leader a collection of Balkan recordings and music notation to choose from and this is the wonderful result. Our Founder Narendra Kotiyan would have been thrilled to bits, as he did all he could to get young people interested in the traditional music in which Dunav specialises. Hear RHY on https://youtu.be/Z4HnVWLYqNo