Bulgarian Folk Melodies: Harmonies of the Soul, Part 1 of 2

Since ancient times, singing has been mainly a female attribute in Bulgaria, while men mostly serve as instrumentalists. The powerful resonance, range, texture, and its penetrating quality are the most distinct characteristics of the Bulgarian voice. The songs are mostly traditional folk ballads, with the lyrics emphasizing people’s everyday feelings and lives. This simple, yet “straight from the heart” from allows the Bulgarians to express their deepest feelings, let go of difficult situations, and connect with their Divine nature. In the 1950’s, a famous Bulgarian composer, Filip Kutev, gathered female singers from all corners of the country, even remote villages, to form the first ever female choir. Today the choir, Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, or Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices, continues to touch the souls of people around the world. Let’s listen to an excerpt from a song entitled “Polegnala e Todora,” or “Todora Fell Asleep.” There is a natural transcending energy that seems to flow from the beautiful harmonies. “Todora fell asleep, Maiden Todoro, Todoro, Todora fell asleep, Maiden Todoro, Todoro, Under a tree, under an olive tree.”