One of the best-known ensembles in the great universe of World Music, Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares is a female a cappella choir that weaves together the musical traditions of its country, Bulgaria, with the stimuli and suggestions of the contemporary world.
Founded as a choir for Bălgarskoto Nacionalno Radio and Bălgarska Nacionalna Televizija (Bulgarian state radio and television, respectively) in 1952 by Philip Koutev, with choristers from different regions of the country, especially from rural areas, it has over the years undertaken a fascinating journey through the folds of a folk music tradition dating back to the times of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, winning a Grammy in 1990. His style, characterised by crosstalk and dissonance, combines ancient songs, Danubian and Balkan dances, Saxon, Thracian, Slavic and Iranian influences, creating a unique listening experience.
The international breakthrough came with the recording of the album Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares in 1975 by the Swiss musicologist Marcel Cellier, which was re-released by the “mythical” 4AD (the record label of so much English new wave) more than 10 years later, quickly becoming a bestseller.
In recent times, Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares has been discovered, loved and valued by the world of pop, rock and jazz music, by artists such as Peter Murphy, Paul Simon, Kate Bush, Frank Zappa, David Bowie and the Italians Elio e le Storie Tese. Dead Can Dance singer Lisa Gerrard recorded an album with the choir in 2018.