Serious

Part of the London Festival of Bulgarian Culture - 2-26 November 2010 www.lfbc.eu

Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares is an internationally renowned vocal ensemble that blends traditional six-part a cappella repertoire with modern arrangements to create a richness of sound and otherworldly mood. The singers transform sounds into vocal colours as if something other than human voice, perhaps some foreign instrument is playing. The singers “jubilate, shout, ornament, form fast and perfect glissandos, let one crazy rhythm follow another and make their voices built the most darling cords.” 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.

“…when they open their voices out come timeless melodies and rich, strange harmonies that make every hair on your body stand on end.” (Timeout, New York)

Formerly known as the Bulgarian State Radio and Television Female Vocal Choir the group was created in Bulgaria in 1952 by Philip Koutev, "the father of Bulgarian concert folk music.” Now under the direction of Dora Hristova the ensemble performs beautifully arranged songs that combine folk melodies with sophisticated harmonies and compelling rhythms. The repertoire of the choir is drawn from arrangements created by the Bulgarian most esteemed composers like Philip Koutev, Krassimir Kyurkchiyski, Nikolai Kaufman, Petar Lyondev, Ivan Spassov, Stefan Moutafchiev, Kiril Stefanov.

It was the release of the album “Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares” recorded by Swiss music producer Marcel Cellier in 1975 that brought this magnificent group to the attention of the world. The album soon became a best seller. In 1987 they released Volume II which received a  Grammy award.