Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir - Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares (1990)

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Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir - Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares (1990)

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Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir - Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares (Part I)
Source: Audio CD (October 25, 1990) | Lossless/FLAC | 36:45 | 213 Mb
Label: Nonesuch | Genre: word, ethnic

By Christopher Culver
Released in 1988 after Marcel Cellier brought never-before-heard recordings to the West, LE MYSTERE DES VOIX BULGARES was an explosive suprise for music lovers. Thirteen songs performed by the Bulgarian State Television Female vocal choir, the disc displayed a highly exotic method of singing where each singer has limited vocal range but piercing projection and resonance, and polyphony using intervals never heard in traditional Western art music.
These mystic voices have managed countless times to dissolve the separation between East and West, of young and old, of pop music and classical tunes. The world became aware of their art thanks to Mr. Marcel Cellier, a Swiss producer, who started releasing albums under the name-“Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares”. The first album was published in 1975. Followed album II which was granted a “Grammy”award in 1990, album III – 1989. The album”Rituals” released by “Electra Nonesuch”in USA was nominated for ”Grammy” in 1994. Once the public got their CDs the popularity of the choir rose worldwide. Followed intensive concert tours and their performances were hosted in all major halls in Europe, America, and Asia.
One thing should be said from the start: this is not authentic Bulgarian folk music, but rather sophisticated arrangements made by composers during the Communist era. Many of the lyrics here are from old folk songs, and the method of singing each singer displays is truly old, but you're crazy if you think any folk music has four-part counterpoint. Still, folk cultures are dying across Europe, and these arrangements are becoming all we have left of a precious tradition snuffed out by Western decadence.
The disc opens with the droning "Pilentze Pee" which immediately gives the listener a full blast of this exotic tradition. With parallel seconds in the harmonic writing, pitches fluctuate strikingly yet under perfect control. Ditto for the eerie diaphonic chant of "Schopska Pesen". The mournful "Kalimankou Denkou" and "Pritouritze Planinata" are simplest in their harmony, and most nearly approach village singing. "Erghen Diado", where the choir is accompanied by drum, shows the humour stereotypically attributed to the people of the Shopsko region.