Customer Reviews

Complete Box Set

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
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These ladies sing universes. Incredible, strange, dissonant, unbelievable harmones that make me gasp and cry.

Someone said that any art that moves the spectator must harness the concept of contrast. This amazing music covers the whole audible spectrum: from massive wave interference to sweet, delicate consonance; from bold, unfaltering vibrato-less pitches to subtle, gentle wavering over a note; from frolicking and fun to mournful and intensely moving.

In short, this music is some of the most unusual, extraordinary, elegant, expressive sound I have ever heard, and it is THE piece of music I would take with me to a deserted island if I could take only one. I would recommend this to anyone who is willing to listen attentively. It is almost impossible that one would do so and NOT be moved.

I won't repeat any comments... these women have done a marvelous job fleshing out traditional songs and bringing them to a new audience. But those who are interested in the choir's dissonance, passion and ethereal tone should check out the more authentic music they pull from, even though it is not as polished and may not have as wide an appeal. When I was ten I heard the Byrd's shimmery version of Mr. Tambourine Man. When I was 16 I heard Bob Dylan's original six-string wheezing operetta and thought it was a horrific joke. Of course, now that's the version I prefer. *Both* have their place. A few Dylans available on Amazon (do a search): Bistritsa Grannies, Bulgaria: Traditional Singing (on the Ocora label. they put out several field recordings), the "Song of the Crooked Dance" compilation. Not on Amazon yet (but not hard to find): renowned ethnomusicologist Yves Moreau's Beyond the Mystery three-disc set (what do you think the title refers to?). The best collection of field recordings I have heard. Other choirs you might want to try (available on Amazon) are Bulgaria's Pirin Folk Ensemble (name varies) or Georgia's Rustavi Choir, though (as one reviewer says), they ain't the "male version of Le Mystere." Listen well before you buy.

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.

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 ~

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.

The first time I heard this music was when my (then) boyfriend played it for me. I fell in love with it (and him -we got married) and can't stop listening. The harmonies are completely unduplicated in Western music and the vocal performances are mesmerizing. As an unusual side note, I started watching and then became a great fan of "Xena" on television only because the theme music features the Bulgarian Women's Choir! (Check out the first Xena Soundtrack- features "The Warrior Princess","Glede Ma Glede" and other music sung by the choir.) Don't miss hearing this unique and beautiful musical group.

Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares, is perhaps the most amazing sound i've ever heard. You may think my demographic would be a strange one to be listening to this kind of music, but my dorm buddies and I, really love it! Sometimes we listen to it while falling asleep. The vocal combinations, haunting undertones, joyous celebrations, jumpy Bulgarian instruments, and passionate love ballads are what make this a truly unique set of cd's. I would reccommend this music to anyone in a mature listening audience. We're waiting anxiously for their next release!!

For those of you in the US who are fans of vocal/choral music, prepare for an immense surprise. The Bulgarian Women's choir has a tendency to use voice in a manner that's quite unfamiliar to those of us from the West. It's amazing to hear what would normally be an entire instrumental montage forged from the voices of these women.

It can be a little tedious to make your way through this entire boxed set, but I've found that focusing on one or two pieces at a time, growing familiar with them, and then growing to appreciate them helped me make my way through the entire thing.

A few good ones to start with are "Pilientze Pee" (which actually means, 'a bird sings'), "Svatba", "Pritouritze Planinata", "Spis li, Milke le", and "La rosa en floresa". These represent what I consider the most accessible and comfortable songs on the set.

And for the skeptics out there who think this is nothing but over the top singing, remember that this is all recorded live, and not easy to perform. If you want to find out for yourself, sing with a friend and try to remain dissonant with them for more than two seconds. You have to train your ears before they'll let you do that.

Whatever you do, don't forget to add this to your shopping cart.

If you like eastern European music and choral music, this is great. You don't have to understand the words to feel the humanity and wonder in these recordings. They are well done and the arrangements are deep. There are elements of Mongolia, China and the Middle East, as well as European folk traditions. I love it.

This music evokes emotion. Beautiful harmonies and vocal soundscapes. Each CD offers a different journey; uplifting, heartbreaking, inspiring.
Highly recommended!