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Le Mystère des voix bulgares

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Le Mystère des voix bulgares · Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares is the name under which the women's choir of the Bulgarian state broadcaster became known. The choir was founded in 1952 by Georgi Boyadjiev and performs modern arrangements of Bulgarian folk melodies. The singers are chosen from villages, for the beauty and openness of their voices, and undergo a long training in the age-old singing style. The choir received its name from the Swiss ethnomusicologist Marcel Cellier, who spent fifteen years working to get the recordings released.

Music and breakthrough

The first album appeared in 1975. The choir became internationally known when the British label 4AD reissued two compilation albums in 1986 and 1988. The second volume won a Grammy in 1989. The music is influenced by Thracian, Bulgarian, Ottoman and Byzantine history. It uses diaphonic singing, a distinctive vocal timbre, modal scales, unusual time signatures and clashing harmonies with many seconds, sevenths and ninths.

Influence

In the 1990s the choir became known in the United States through the music of the series Xena: Warrior Princess, whose theme is derived from Kaval sviri. Three soloists of the choir also sang as Trio Bulgarka on albums by Kate Bush. In this way the choir brought Bulgarian folk music to a Western pop audience.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Kaval sviri and notice the tense, grating harmonies between the voices. Try to hear where the high voices and the low drone sound together.

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: ArtistsBulgarian women's singing