The Magnificent Bulgarian Voices (recording of the Century: Choir of the Bulgarian Radio & TV)

Описание: The Magnificent Bulgarian Voices
00:00 I. Come Into Leaf, Thou Forest
03:24 II. Oh, Mara
05:51 III. Mrs Nedelja Became Famous
08:51 IV. A Young Girl is Coming
10:27 V. Todora’s Dream
13:51 VI. Pigeons Coo
17:00 VII. Young Vena
20:14 VIII. Small Green Wood
23:53 XIX. The Wind Blows In The Forest
24:53 X. The Childless Bride
28:18 XI. Homeland
30:02 XII. Lovely Jana
33:45 XIII. The Dahlia Blossoms and Doesn’t Fade
37:22 XIV. Güro is Looking for a Bride

Choir of the Bulgarian Radio & TV
Live recording in 1987, at Germany
New mastering in 2026 by AB for CMRR
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Since the release of their first LP in Western Europe almost ten years ago, the choir of the Bulgarian Radio and Television in Sofia has established itself under the name “Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares.” The ensemble was founded in Sofia in 1952, initially with fifteen members—both singers and instrumentalists—and today it has grown to twenty-eight performers.

Rooted in the long tradition of Bulgarian folk music, the choir’s members have been recruited from numerous music festivals, particularly within the country, since its founding. The finest voices are selected through song competitions and then invited to join the choir. Its repertoire is drawn from a vast collection of vocal works that has been continuously expanded since the beginning of the century and now comprises around 10,000 songs. This collection also includes pieces by modern composers such as Philip Koutev, Stefan Kanev, Dimitar Dinev, Stefan Mutafchiev, Nikolai Kauffmann, and Krasimir Kyurkchijski.

In Bulgaria, historical influences play a major role in the creation of folk music. Over more than a thousand years, the country has been shaped by Christianity, Byzantine culture, five centuries of Ottoman domination, and the ancient, mystical heritage of the Thracians. All these influences have left their mark on this remarkable vocal tradition. Bulgarian music often alternates between dancing joy and deep melancholy, and in this synthesis, the songs embody all aspects of the art—from diatonic structures to modern polyphony.

The secret of this music lies in a solid vocal technique and a distinctive approach to tone production. While Western European singers typically place the voice forward, Bulgarian singers produce their sound in the throat and nasal cavities, supported by overtone resonance. Their music avoids chromaticism, tempered tuning, and rigid hierarchies of form and rhythm. Instead, its tension arises from asymmetry. Tones are sung without vibrato, either smoothly or with rapid, trill-like alternations between high and low pitches. The interplay between meter and melody creates a remarkable richness of form and expression.

The singers also display a particular fondness for the second voice, often using intervals that may sound dissonant to Western ears, requiring exceptional vocal precision. The women, in particular, effortlessly surpass the limits commonly found in Western singing schools and choirs. Singing is a deeply rooted tradition in Bulgaria, passed down from generation to generation.

Once we begin to understand these elements, an entirely new world of sound opens up—one that is unique and profoundly beautiful among vocal traditions. This LP serves as a live document of the choir’s artistry. Recorded in a large church in Bremen, Germany, during one of the ensemble’s first tours in the West, the acoustics of the space play a significant role in the recording. Ambient sounds such as footsteps, the rustling of concert costumes, and applause have been intentionally preserved. The selection of pieces includes works by the aforementioned contemporary composers, as well as a variety of choral, solo, duo, and trio performances.

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Traditional Music PLAYLIST (reference recordings):    • Traditional Music/ /Reference Recording