Search - Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares :: Complete Box Set

Otherworldly

A. Casalino | Downers Grove, IL USA | 08/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Bulgarian Female Vocal Choir has put forth here music that is at the same moment both haunting and joyous ~ Some of the harmonies herein, such as "Polegnala e Todora" tenaciously grasp my very soul. How does one go about describing music via the written word? One really must listen to this collection to come to know its essence and its virtue. This is music that's brought out the ghost in me ~~ These beautiful voices are rapt with the essence of a clean, fragrant breeze after a storm, a glimpse of ecstacy of a previous life perched upon the edge of remembrance. It is truly a celebration of the spirit ~"

The first disc was a knockout, but the box set shows ever-de

Christopher Culver | 09/21/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Over a 15-year period the French record producer Marcel Cellier recorded obscure state vocal ensembles in the then-Communist republic of Bulgaria. When he finally released these recordings in the West, the resulting first album Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares was an explosive suprise for music lovers. It had 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.



One thing should be said from the start: none of it was 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 common-practice tonality. Plus, the songs represented the features of many regions of Bulgaria, from the Thracian plains to the idiosyncratic humour of Shopsko.



That first disc is highly recommended if you keep an eclectic collection of music, and it's historically important for starting a World music craze among English and American listeners.



With volume 2, more material collected by Cellier was released in the West, but was rather less satisfying. And then, with volume 3, things got just plain awful: on RITUAL the warm sound of the first two discs is replaced by hollow pop sheen. furthermore, instead of going towards more authentic Bulgarian material, RITUAL offers the ensembles singing a few Spanish-language songs, which is just World music crossover gimmickry.



I find very little reason to recommend the box set, when it's only the first disc that's essential."

Must Experience this music!

C. Moore | Western North Carolina, United States | 01/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't want to be redundant here, but just want to add a little more praise for this music:

I am a musician and can't even explain how superb and flawless this music is. It is deeply moving and perfectly expressive and oh so technically impressive! The singing is awesome and the sounds are very unique if you're not familiar with this group.



This 3CD set is the only item I have of theirs so I can't compare it to other albums, but I'm so glad I got this set since I'm able to sample so many songs of theirs---I wouldn't have been able to pick a single CD to try and so this seemed like a great way to be introduced to these women."