"Stay" by composer Georgi Kostov - a beloved song of pop diva Lili Ivanova

Lili Ivanova is a singer long recognized as one of the musical icons of Bulgaria. For decades called the “Prima of Bulgarian pop”, in 2023 she was declared the greatest Bulgarian pop performer of all time by BG Radio. Her repertoire is impressive in both scope and diversity, yet even today Bulgarians continue to associate her name with the major hits she performed from the 1960s through the 1980s: Adagio, Camino, Panairi (Fairs),Requiem, Detelini (Clovers), Shturche (Little Cricket)…

At the end of the 1970s, the song "Ostani" (Stay) with music by Bulgarian composer Georgi Kostov, was among Lili Ivanova’s most beloved songs, honored at Bulgaria’s most prestigious pop music competition. In 1977, at the 13th International Festival Golden Orpheus, first prize was awarded to “Stay”, competing against undisputed hits such as the joyful appeal “Neka da e lyato” (Let It Be Summer) by composer Stefan Dimitrov, performed by the vocal group Tonika, and the beautiful miniature “Ustrem” (Aspiration) by Nayden Andreev, sung inimitably by Margarita Hranova.

The author of the captivating melody of “Stay” is composer Georgi Kostov (January 21, 1941 – January 19, 2024). He graduated from the Music Academy in Sofia (known from 1954 to 1995 as the Bulgarian State Conservatory) in the composition class of Prof. Pancho Vladigerov. He specialized at the Moscow Conservatory and, only 25 years old, began teaching in Sofia. In 1977 he became an associate professor, and from 1985 he was a full professor of harmony and composition. Communicative and charming, Georgi Kostov was much loved by both students and colleagues.

On November 9, 1989, he was appointed rector of the Conservatory. The following day entered Bulgarian history with the November 10^th Plenum of the Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party, when Todor Zhivkov was removed from the highest post in the party and the state. The date November 10, 1989 marked the beginning of Bulgaria’s long and difficult transition to democracy and a market economy, which had a particularly negative impact on culture and the arts. During this time of shocking change and uncertainty, Prof. Georgi Kostov remained rector of the Conservatory (renamed again State, and later National, Music Academy) for nearly two decades - until 2008. In 1995-1996 he also served as Minister of Culture. On January 21, 2016, he was awarded the prestigious honorary insignia Golden Age - the highest distinction of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Culture, bestowed for exceptional contribution to Bulgarian culture.

Georgi Kostov is the author of two operas, two musicals, a ballet, cantatas, works for symphony, wind, and string orchestra, instrumental concertos, and chamber music. He created hundreds of children’s, choral, and popular songs, some of which became very popular. He received awards from composition competitions in Paris, Berlin, Helsinki, and Trento. His songs have been honored at the radio competition Spring and the national television contest Melody of the Year. Three years after the success of “Stay”, at тхе Golden Orpheus in 1980, Georgi Kostov’s song “The Gardens of Love”, performed by Emil Dimitrov, again won first prize.

In the repertoire of the great Lili Ivanova there are two more songs with the same title - “Stay.” In 1984, the album “I Want You” included “Stay” by Rafi Jamakortsian with lyrics by Damyan Damyanov, today better known as “Stay Tonight.” In 1995, for her studio album “Are You Ready for Love?”, Lili Ivanova recorded a new version of the beautiful song titled “Stay,” with music by Nikolai Arabadzhiev and lyrics by Dimitar Vasilev, which became an eternal classic in the interpretation of Pasha Hristova.

Here we recall the first “Stay” by Lili - a true example of Bulgarian musical culture, with the melody by Georgi Kostov, lyrics by Milcho Spasov, and arrangement by Konstantin Dragnev.

Find more about Bulgarian music in Radio Bulgaria's running series "Highlights of Bulgarian Musical Culture":

Angel Zaberski’s “Moonlight Sonata” - The unforgettable hit of Bulgaria’s legendary Lili Ivanova

"People and Streets” from the cult Bulgarian classic "The Boy Goes Away"

''Bosi Vremena'' - a childhood memory

Edited by Elena Karkalanova
English: R. Petkova