LE MYSTERE DES VOIX BULGARES

Why The MYSTERY of the Bulgarian Voices:

The appeal of the group has to do with the beauty of its sound, the character of its music and the connection of this music with universal human feelings and experiences. “ It is a natural, piercing sound for the outdoors to carry across the fields or from hilltop to hilltop. The sound is created in the larynx, it resonates in the chest. It requires great pressure of the breath to create the sound and you must be very strong to sing in this fashion.”(Dora Hristova)
“ In terms of harmonic language, parallel fourths and parallel fifths – the taboo of European classical music – form an important part of the choir’s repertoire harmonic syntax. Some pieces even comprise parallel major seconds. Strangely these major seconds, while dissonant sound most natural. Perhaps these major seconds are to which the term “Le Mystere “ refers. I have not heard anything so astounding before and I think the name “Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares” is justifiably appropriate”.
(Lai Kin, The new Evening Post, March 1997, Hong Kong)

“The Bulgarian songs have clear, forceful melodies and the solo voices are both penetrating and refined, full of character. In dramatic arrangements with angel’s chords giving way to dance rhythms of eerie group slides and yelps, the voices demand attention and reward with thrills, chills, humor and suspense A song will start out with one voice, then two, then unfold with a full choir; a pause may signal a floating harmony or a leap into dance rhythm” (San Francisco Chronicle).

“Bulgarian music is stunningly beautiful, the voices are exceptional, the melodies are extraordinary and I think people are just stunned by it. The asymmetric meters are very compelling and the vocal style is just magic.”, says Duran (The New York Times).

“Employing vocal techniques that defy western traditions of voice production the singers juxtapose flat, nasal tones with full, round ones; dissonant, unearthly harmonies with consonant blends right out of Christian hymn; slow trance-like shifts in texture and harmony with complex, percussive, rapid-fire rhythms…..music is breathtaking in its sublime beauty…”The Los Angeles Times”

“The choir explored a wide variety of harmonies, rhythms and vocal techniques producing a blend of modern tonalities with rich folklore traditions. Harmonic dissonances were the vital tool in creating the rich fabric of sound” (Hong Kong Music and Art Services Co, Press clip)

“One can only marvel at the standard of musicianship here, at how secure these voices are at sounding and sustaining the most difficult and dissonant intervals that are characteristic of this unusual, assimilative and beautiful national music.”(Boston Globe)