Hello Everyone! Just flagging something I’d like to clarify: I never meant Bulgarian music has no rules-only that it doesn’t follow strict Western frameworks. It is incredibly complex and wonderful. I also mean when I say "it is itching my brain" as good thing - its satisfying to my mind in the way that scratching an itch is physically satisfying. I deeply admire this rich tradition and its incredible artistry!
So beautiful in its complexity. Whoever’s job it was to audition and find the beauty of almost identical tone in each voice, even the lower girls had very similar voices. I should absolutely mention the conductor. She blended the voices beautifully. The practice shows! Sorry for a long reply, but… I’m a live Audio Engineer…lol
I don't know....... it touches something deep in my soul since the first time listening (a few years ago) PS: the opening theme of the 90's series "Xena, the Warrior Princess" is MUCH INSPIRED by Kval Sviri song ( I dare to say it's the same music.....) Greetings from Brazil, Beth. :)
Hi Beth ! I am one of the girls that is singing there in the video. I am really happy to see that after so long time ago this song is travelling around the world an touching people's heart. Thank you for sharing our folklore music ❤
@@stanislavavasileva6869 actually the only reason she was sharing it was to mock and ridicule the specific and unique semi high pitch of your voices. That's all. And then addressing an apology in case someone takes the insult personally and reports it.
I am Kosovo Albanian, and I find Bulgarian folk songs among the best in the world. Trust me, this is a masterpiece. I have always loved Bulgarian folk songs. You should know that - "Izlel e Delyo haydutin", a Bulgarian folk song performed by Valya Balkanska, was included in the Golden Record of Voyager on the American spacecraft Voyager 2 and Voyager 1, as a musical message from Earth to outer space.
Thank you! Funny some time ago I also suggested it along with Prituri se Planinata and The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices. I'm so happy my wish finally came true. Beth is blown away (as planned). Ha hah. Greetings from Bulgaria!
Not everyone can sing in 2 voices. And in 3 voices it is masterful singing. The girls in the video sing in 2 voices and these "grandfathers" in 3 voices. ua-cam.com/video/o81A31hlgEA/v-deo.html
Es hängt damit zusammen das es sich hier um Musik/Kultur handelt und nicht wie im Westen, wo "Musik" etwas unsozial ist, was einem Ego zu Ansehen und Glanz verhelfen soll. Im Osten wird gesungen, im Westen gibt es nach griechischen Vorbild ein Theaterstück (ein gutes Beispiel ist Wagner), oder das kuriose Abbild davon, die USA-Show. 😊
Most Western music is in 4/4 or 2/4 rhythm. Bulgarian folklore breaks this pattern and make songs in 7/8 and 9/8, which completely breaks our Western minds. I think "Kaval sviri" is in 9/8, but I've seen professional Western musicians who couldn't pinpoint the rhythm and really struggled with it.
There's something so "ancient" about this. It transports you back to a time and a place that you shouldn't remember yet somehow do. It always makes me well up.
@@trendafil.gechev Debatable. Kukeri could be associated with the Thracians and Ancient Greeks, though this type of masquerade likely even pre-dates them as well. The custom could actually be related to the pre-Christian cult of Dionysus. Either way it is a non-slavic pagan custom, yet we still practice it. So the likeness of the custom being passed down from the Thracians to modern day is possible.
P.S - Nestinarstvo could also be related to the cult of Dionysus, but it seems like the custom had been extinct until it was re-introduced in the 19th century in Bulgaria and Greece, there aren't much written accounts of this custom prior to the late 19th century. Thus this one is even more debatable. There are also other likely ancient pagan customs that we still practice to this day, but they're likely not of Thracian origin, hence why I didn't mention them before anybody asks. Baba Marta is one such custom.
Western world does not have the spirit to feel, understand and enjoy our Slavic music tradition. I'm Serbian and Bulgarian folklore is very close and similar to us and we find it absolutely beautiful. Pure joy listening to this harmonies.
@user-ov5nd1fb7s that's how you decided to read my point. I clearly say they don't have the spirit to understand Slavic music..that doesn't mean that they don't have spirit for other music or other things.
@BlueBlossomsBlues yes we are and unfortunately we were not smart and wise enough to stay united and strong. But music and language is something we can't run away from and there is where our spirits will clearly show where we belong.
Not quite; chorus singing is not something special to us Bulgarians. Even US churches have choruses, catholic churches and monks have been chanting for centuries, even aboriginal singing and hakka exist. Not to mention Hindu and native American dancing and singing. Choruses are not unique to us! What is unique, is the steps and unique dissonance, 'kadene' of voices etc.
That music comes through much more than 20 millennia and probably from another dimension. It strikes direct into the heart. It is beyond understanding and beyond explanation! This phenomenon is called “The mystery of the Bulgarian voices”!
@@nentj ,Българската култура и фолклор се датират много назад в миналото първите доказани са около 300 години след Христа,а съществуват и недоказани,за знаичтелно по-рано от порядъка на 200-400 години преди христа,но там не е ясно точно как и защо се употребява думата "Булгар",и вероятно някой ден ще се появи извор,от който нещата да се прояснят,но Българският народ е последовател на една от древните нации. Поздрави! :)
@@nentj ,Явно ние сме причината за изчезването на динозаврите,веднага след като сме изградили галактиката... 😅🤣🤣🤣. Шегувам се естествено,а за другото е грешка по една или друга причина... :)
@@gameplaychannel7255 Чета какво пише и стигам до извода, че е грешно, без значение как го погледнем. :)) По принцип бих го подминал, но тук се появява и друго измерение, както и митологизация на типичния славянски фолклор. Аз съм от Сърбия и отлично разбирам тези нюанси, но споменаването на „20 милиарда години“ ми напомни за онези типични балкански истории, където всяка държава е по-древна от Атлантида :))
Hello Beth. I am Bulgarian, but I have been living in England for 8 years. I know this music from my homeland very well. It makes me feel like music coming from a different world, like from the universe. It is no coincidence that we have Bulgarian folklore included in the Golden Record of Voyager and the American spacecraft Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. The song itself that is included in the record is by Valya Balkanska and the song is Izlel Delyo Haidutin. Thank you in advance for the reaction of Kaval Sviri. I hope you like it. Greetings. ❤
И какво търсиш там - пари, лесен живот?! Те там хората май имат едно унизително име за такива като тези избягали на лесното а не борещи се за правото или своето - куиттер.
@manman7985 Не си мъчи акъла какво правя аз където и да е. Гледай си твоята паница. Лесен живот няма никъде. Може би само в твоята кратуна. Като не можеш да пишеш по същество не се мъчи
As a Bulgarian, I am super proud of our folklore music! Not only the music is awesome, but, on top of that, most of the text are utterly amazing. They are about revolutionary and guerrila fighers, about love, about loss...just amazing.
I have had the pleasure of hearing this performed live in the open air in the mountains, absolutely breathtaking with the natural reverb of nature. We could hear the singing from miles away echoing through the valley.
Back in the 1970s and 80s three vinyl LPs were released called "Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares" and featuring the Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir. The performances were epic and the recording passable - or maybe it was just my copy. Today they're on Spotify. It's a wonderful rabbit hole.
As a Dutch teenager in the 80s I bought this on CD, much to the bewilderment of my friends who thought I lost my mind. Soon they experienced the mental vortex their music sucked you into when listening to it as stoned as only a Dutch teenager could be in the 80s.
@kensei232 WOW, what extraordinary exceptional bright and talented buffoon... I can't believe how lucky am I for the opportunity given to me to touch this bright light, which represents your intellect, your Grace! Hear, hear! The Promised One who was indemnified in the prophecy blessed us with his appearance and he decided to reveal to the world the potential of the stupidity he possesses and how proud he is of himself, what a fool he is. If Your Grace had bothered just to research in the miracle machine called Google what kind of music and song is in the video and when it was sung, and who is singing it would have been clear to Your Grace, that the so-called mediocre performance is performed by one of the best choirs in Bulgaria and that the song is a traditional folk song, which is one of all Bulgarian folk songs that are currently traveling into the big wide space, and also have traveled all over the world and many people have experienced pleasure when listening to it. For this, however, at least a minimal intellect is needed, which you, Your Highness, lack completely and completely more. 2 brain cells - one sets the command - inhale, the other - exhale. Everything else is based on primal instincts, on autopilot. I will be completely honest with you and share that I have never met a more ignorant person. You must be extremely proud of your stupid remark. Your Grace! 🖕
I am from Serbia and it is so familiar to me. This is a classic Balkan (Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia) type of singing in seconda and in 7/8. To us it is beautiful, but I understand that it is so strange to you. The theory goes that this kind of singing originates in the mountains. When someone sings it ehoes around and also sounds so powerful while building the suspense until the final resolve.
@@vextenoch the song is not in 7/8. The chorus is 9/8. There are quite a few differences between Bulgarian and Serbian music. I find that ours (BG) closer to to Romanian and Ukrainian
@milenushka100 Ами, не се сърди веднага. Всичко хубаво. По-подобната е музика на Балканот. Никой в Европа няма 7/8, 9/8 и 11/8 освен България, Сърбия и Македония. Румънците имат по-различан вид музика. В Сърбия имаме и Българи и Румънци.
@@radoslavpetkov това е вашия избор. Не знам какво ви направихме, ама какво да правим. Аз научих български, ходим на Черно море... Всички сме човекови същества. Има добри и лоши.
The song translates roughly to: "A kaval is playing, mother, (its a type of flute, mostly used in folk music) upwards and downwards, and under the village (meaning the music is "moving" in and around the village) I'll go and see it, mother, I'll go and hear it. if its one of our kids, (here talking about the musician, and whether he is from "our" village. In BG folk music women never play any of the instruments.) I'll love him until noon, if its a "yabandzhiiche", (sweet form of an archaic and dialectic turkish word, meaning a man of another village, i.e. not one of "ours") I'll love him for life." The song reflects the deeply rural and family-oriented way of life of agricultural Bulgaria from before the 20th century, where young girls were encouraged to marry into other villages for the obvious reason, that villages were small and people were mostly related to each other.
The clothes of the singers also represent traditional clothing from our many distinct regions, a culture so rich in musical measure, rhythm and style 🤍💚❤️
If you are used to dissonance, then it's absolutely beautiful. I love Bulgarian Folk music since I discovered it in the 1980s. Yes, some of the harmonies clash without the usual resolutions but once you get used to it, it's natural and it's like getting used to any type of food that's not sweet but has a strong flavor.
ua-cam.com/video/xfULiqNoEGQ/v-deo.html (used in Hummingbird as soundtrack ) ua-cam.com/video/wQ9BkiDEsGw/v-deo.html ( words cannot .. the text is too sad ) ua-cam.com/video/jnxUYsf6GuU/v-deo.html (on the two Voyager spacecrafts - thanks to Carl Sagan and his team) ua-cam.com/video/5lotGo73GOk/v-deo.html (awesome 100 kaba-bagpapipes) ua-cam.com/video/4vz3Dyv2kmQ/v-deo.html (Sample of popular uneven beats of Folklore dancing from Thrace)
As a Bulgarian also I’m not surprised at all! We have an amazing music, so unique that I don’t think there is a professional musician who hasn’t heard at least SOMETHING about it! :)))
She didn't like it at all, listen and watch her expressions also the title of the video is saying a lot! This is very typical behavior for people that think they are more then the others and know better, she is mocking us. Which is actually very funny.
@@elicadimitrova18 изобщо не се подиграва и всъщност музиката много и' харесва. Израза it's scratching my brain тя уточнява в коментар, че влага положителен смисъл в него, като колко е добра музиката. И какъв е този масов комплекс на повечето българи, че все някой им се подиграва 🤔🤷♀️
My grandma, now in her late 70s is part of one of those choruses and sings solo. The amount of medals, gold ones, and certificates/recognitions from festivals she has is insane! Very old, mystical indeed but hard as well to master, trust me!
feels at home, no Bulgarian can remain unmoved. A little magic from the land of the Thracians and Orpheus. Quite by chance like Scotland there are bagpipes here and the combination with the magical voices is out of another world. A good example is song "Izlel E Dello Haidutin", recorded on Mount Rozhen in the Rhodope Mountains. I hope one day it will be its turn and this miracle will be analyzed.
Kate Bush has the Trio Bulgarka as back up singers on several songs, most notably on Rocket's Tail, which Kate and the Trio sing a capella for the first half and then her band and David Gilmour join in for the second half. Wonderful song.
Thanks for mentioning this. Love Kate Bush, so immediately looked it up and listened to it twice. Had no idea that dissonance singing was a thing, or was so beautiful!
So talented and stunningly beautiful… Bulgarian voices makes my heart soar … I play jazz so close intervals doesn’t itch my brain. The first three girls are goddesses ❤
It is simply fantastic, sublime, beautiful and transcendental. But when Kenji Kawai took it even further for the Ghost in the Shell soundtrack, it's just another dimension.
So beautiful and evocative. The whole of the Balkans has some form of this. My personal favorite is Prituri se planinata by Stefka Sabotinova. It was also made into a remix in the 90's. That one it's so haunting that so many years after the first time I heard it still gives me goosebumps.
As a Bulgarian, this is in our genes, our DNA. Dear beth, you need to travel to Shiroka Luka, there is a special school that teaches this singing. It is unique, the breathing technique as well.
It is called "The mystery of the Bulgarian voices" with a reason, girl. The choir you just listened are singing in two voices. One is always low and even( almost like male baritone, and they are singing in only one tone, even, like a bass guitar if you say), and the other is always high and melodic(In the highest soprano to be fair, following the methaphore - like the vocal of the band), which creates a magical and unique sound, as you can see. Most of the foreigners are actually amazed how this is possible, because this kind of singing is extremely difficult. I feel like you think It's a wrong tone(as you played on your piano), and I understand your confussion, but it's not true, my dear. The double voice singing I mentioned is making you feel like that. Play that song again and try to spot both type of voices. You will find out it's actually amazing type of singing you won't here anywhere but in Bulgaria. Greetings from Bulgaria! And excuse my poor English. :D
I absolutely loved that. Those dissonant harmonies had my shoulders up around my ears, but in the best way and the arrangement was wonderfully complex. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Fun fact: this song is the inspiration for the song Making of Cyborg from Ghost in the shell movie. Keiichi Okabe had agreed with a Bulgarian choir to travel to Japan to record the song for the movie. However, due to administrative issues they couldnt fly to Japan and the song was recorded with Japanese choir.
They sound absolutely beautiful!!The same things have been said about punk rock n jazz in the past but i think all of it sounds GREAT!!😊👍Even in nature not all bird sounds are mellifluous.
The richness and texture of polyphony is the sound of the souls and history of the Bulgarian people and their ancestors ~1500 years back to the Byzantine Empire. ~60 generations that sang it and passed it to the next generation during peace and wars, feasts and famines, celebrations and ceremonies . It gives me goosebumps and awe.
It was from hearing the dissonances of Bulgarian singers that Jeff Beck was inspired to write "Where Were You", where the melody was played by bending harmonics. There was some dissonance created by playing against the repeat of the previous note. Later he got to play on the same track as the Bulgarian trio singing backup on a Kate Bush album.
An example of one of the many styles in Bulgarian folk music. There was once a foreign TV series - "Zina, the Warrior Princess". They often used our music as background music there. 😊
Very good reaction. Thank you. Our Bulgarian musical rhythms are many. They are simple, complex, equal, unequal and time signature. As the sizes are an example but 2/4, 2/8, 2/16, 3/8, 3/16, 4/4, 5/4, 5/8, 5/16, 7/8,9/8, 9/16 I am certainly missing many more but this is just an example. The best Bulgarian choir that is currently is the Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices. Musicians from all over the world say that they sing not as they should, but it is very beautiful singing. This is due to the unequal time signatures that we use. In music there are no rules as long as you reach the hearts of the people. I would recommend a relatively new Bulgarian singer for editing and she is Petya Paneva I will post a link below if you are interested. Thank you again for the reaction it was my pleasure ua-cam.com/video/ECWyExK8nD8/v-deo.htmlsi=jzpCl0TqyhXa0zPc
❤❤❤най чистите гласове Най чистите лица и прекрасни усмивки Красота, хармония, уникалност в едно прекрасно съзвучие - това е музиката и песента на България ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ Поздрави за всички вас
The Bulgarian folklore music is a rabbit hole of it's own. The singing and dancingthe most of the time are intertwined too. Too bad that Bulgarian National TV's vast folklore archive, collected over the last 6-7 decades, is not available on YT
Hi, Beth, I'm Bulgarian and I loved the review. An interesting backstory here is that in the 50's and 60's, talented Bulgarian composers (Filip Kutev mainly, and Petar Lyondev for this song) were given a task to modernize Bulgarian folk music, which was already beautiful, dissonant and with interesting rhythms. Kutev gathered talented women from all across Bulgaria, especially ones with a feisty and independent character, as he described, and organized ensembles with amazing creativity, which even included some influences from jazz music. This unusual level of freedom gave birth to the Mystery of Bulgarian Voices and other fantastic ensembles -- it's really worth diving into this rabbit hole. Love your work!
Am I listening to a different video or understanding English differently?! She cannot even hold her horrified mimic. By the end of the video, the last sentences I think she just realizes she crossed the line
Beth, thank you for popularizing the Bulgarian folklore music. Try Sestri Kushlevi and Rhodope songs too. Only in the Bulgarian folklore music all uneven tones in the world are evident - in the songs and in the HORO dances too. Enjoy
Two of the most performed choral songs by composer Petar Lyondev are "Ergen Deda" (written in 1975) and "Kaval Sviri" (written in 1979). I had the honour and the pleasure to know personally Maestro Lyondev and he was extraordinary man and professional! R.I.P. ♪
If you are going into folk choir music, you will do well to also explore Corsica and Portugal (Alentejo, more precisely). These magnificent Bulgarian choirs kind of paved the way in the early days of the "World Music" fad, and a series of recordings where made afterwards from a wide variety of traditions. I personally was exposed to them in the earlty 90's. There is an incredible musical world out there, if you open your mind and ears.
Back in the early 1980's there was a series on TV called "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage" with the legendary 'Carl Sagan'. It used a variety of music from all around the world as background and one piece which I found particularly stunning was:- "Izlel ye Delyo Haydutin" - Performed by Valya Balkanska : ua-cam.com/video/7lJYq6bjHTQ/v-deo.html
They used this kind of choir music for Disney's "Brother Bear" (check out Sideways video on it if you haven't yet), this really tickles your brain and gives you goosebumps every time! ❤
YES!! YES!!! YESS!!!!! I am heavily involved in the world of drum and bugle coprs and first got turned on to Bulgarian folk music when a corps from Denver did this very pice back in 2000. Since then I have been deep down the rabbit hole that is Bulgarian folk. So glad this finally ended up on your radar!
Discovered this awesomely unique music tradition after watching the awesomely atmospheric Ghost in the Shell anime back in the 90s where inspiration from Bulgarian folk music was easy to see in soundtrack and opening score. Unfortunately I've failed to convince either of my friends, regardless of what they listen to. Even classically trained musician friends say that they don't like the "e" sound, which just boggles my mind when it can be used like this.
The OLDEST Human civilization started in Aria - all around the White Lake - now called Black See, Bulgarians are Arians - they are extraordinary people with pure ancient DNA and culture. All people that came to Bulgaria are amused by the energy, culture, music and ancient history here... In our museums we have artifacts dated 8000 years ago, and of course the OLDES GOLDEN TREASURES in the world.
I love their music. Thanks for analyzing it. Kate Bush's excellent album THE SENSUAL WORLD features Bulgarian choral singers along with rock guitar styling of David Gilmour...hard to imagine but beautiful.
Worth checking out is a collaboration between The Bulgarian Voices choir and the Tuvan throat-singing group Huun-Huur-Tu. The combination of the Bulgarian choir harmonies, ancient Tuvan/Altai instruments and throat-singing is haunting. Especially a song called "Fly, Fly My Sadness" and I think there is a live version available here on YT.
Thank you for reacting to Bulgarian music. I would like to suggest one more Bulgarian folkor: "Валя Балканска (Valya Balkanska) - Излел Е Дельо Хайдутин (Original Version)"
Beth, what comes to mind right away is for you to visit my choir, Bulgapeya, in Brussels, to get a first-hand experience of the Kafal by singing along with the rest of us (almost all of whom are English-speaking Bulgarian women). Fun is guaranteed!
I remember reading decades ago how Bulgarian folk music has a propensity for time signatures that to westerners seem weird. Rather than a 3/4 waltz or a 4/4 reel or other typical dance, they might use 11/ or 17/4 etc. Inspired by a Bulgarian orchestra member, the great jazz trumpeter/composer band leader Don Ellis composed and recorded Bulgarian Bulge in 33/16 time - ua-cam.com/video/RGsRxvXEGI0/v-deo.html
Hello Everyone! Just flagging something I’d like to clarify: I never meant Bulgarian music has no rules-only that it doesn’t follow strict Western frameworks. It is incredibly complex and wonderful. I also mean when I say "it is itching my brain" as good thing - its satisfying to my mind in the way that scratching an itch is physically satisfying. I deeply admire this rich tradition and its incredible artistry!
Check out Eminem's new album The Death of Slim Shady Coup de Grâce🔥🔥
So beautiful in its complexity. Whoever’s job it was to audition and find the beauty of almost identical tone in each voice, even the lower girls had very similar voices. I should absolutely mention the conductor. She blended the voices beautifully. The practice shows! Sorry for a long reply, but… I’m a live Audio Engineer…lol
Nice, it's close to our Balkan and Thracian music. Can you also react to our sipsi music from Burdur in Türkiye
I love this song
I don't know....... it touches something deep in my soul since the first time listening (a few years ago)
PS: the opening theme of the 90's series "Xena, the Warrior Princess" is MUCH INSPIRED by Kval Sviri song ( I dare to say it's the same music.....)
Greetings from Brazil, Beth. :)
Hi Beth ! I am one of the girls that is singing there in the video. I am really happy to see that after so long time ago this song is travelling around the world an touching people's heart. Thank you for sharing our folklore music ❤
Магьосници! ❤
Amazing job! Thanks so much for giving the world this performance
невероятни сте!
Уникално изпълнение, страхотни сте!!Поздрави
@@stanislavavasileva6869 actually the only reason she was sharing it was to mock and ridicule the specific and unique semi high pitch of your voices. That's all. And then addressing an apology in case someone takes the insult personally and reports it.
I am Kosovo Albanian, and I find Bulgarian folk songs among the best in the world. Trust me, this is a masterpiece. I have always loved Bulgarian folk songs. You should know that - "Izlel e Delyo haydutin", a Bulgarian folk song performed by Valya Balkanska, was included in the Golden Record of Voyager on the American spacecraft Voyager 2 and Voyager 1, as a musical message from Earth to outer space.
Gracias por hacer la popularidad de esa información. Gracias de todas las palabras bonitas ❤. Soy de Bulgaria
Thank you! Funny some time ago I also suggested it along with Prituri se Planinata and The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices. I'm so happy my wish finally came true. Beth is blown away (as planned). Ha hah. Greetings from Bulgaria!
❤
😂😂😂😂🥒
Not everyone can sing in 2 voices. And in 3 voices it is masterful singing. The girls in the video sing in 2 voices and these "grandfathers" in 3 voices.
ua-cam.com/video/o81A31hlgEA/v-deo.html
As a Bulgarian it feels very natural and normal. Didn't realize it's that impactful for foreigners.
I am Czech and for me it sounds naturally too..
Maybe it's because in Slavic countrie still exists some form of choral singing...
Sie verstehen das im Westen nicht. ☦️
Es hängt damit zusammen das es sich hier um Musik/Kultur handelt und nicht wie im Westen, wo "Musik" etwas unsozial ist, was einem Ego zu Ansehen und Glanz verhelfen soll. Im Osten wird gesungen, im Westen gibt es nach griechischen Vorbild ein Theaterstück (ein gutes Beispiel ist Wagner), oder das kuriose Abbild davon, die USA-Show. 😊
Most Western music is in 4/4 or 2/4 rhythm. Bulgarian folklore breaks this pattern and make songs in 7/8 and 9/8, which completely breaks our Western minds. I think "Kaval sviri" is in 9/8, but I've seen professional Western musicians who couldn't pinpoint the rhythm and really struggled with it.
@@Zitronensaft9 ,верояттно защото реално т си нямат собствена народна песен и музика... :)
There's something so "ancient" about this. It transports you back to a time and a place that you shouldn't remember yet somehow do. It always makes me well up.
It is really ancient and is a legacy of the ancestors of the Bulgarians, the Thracians.
@@stan3110 Actually it`s the opposite, goes way back before the Black Sea even existed as such.
@@stan3110Bulgarian folklore is Bulgarian folklore. There is nothing Thracian about it.
@@trendafil.gechev Debatable. Kukeri could be associated with the Thracians and Ancient Greeks, though this type of masquerade likely even pre-dates them as well. The custom could actually be related to the pre-Christian cult of Dionysus. Either way it is a non-slavic pagan custom, yet we still practice it. So the likeness of the custom being passed down from the Thracians to modern day is possible.
P.S - Nestinarstvo could also be related to the cult of Dionysus, but it seems like the custom had been extinct until it was re-introduced in the 19th century in Bulgaria and Greece, there aren't much written accounts of this custom prior to the late 19th century. Thus this one is even more debatable. There are also other likely ancient pagan customs that we still practice to this day, but they're likely not of Thracian origin, hence why I didn't mention them before anybody asks. Baba Marta is one such custom.
The best choral music is in the Balkans. Saludos desde 🇦🇷
Western world does not have the spirit to feel, understand and enjoy our Slavic music tradition. I'm Serbian and Bulgarian folklore is very close and similar to us and we find it absolutely beautiful. Pure joy listening to this harmonies.
As a Bulgarian I totally agree with you , brother. Respect!
Come on man, we don't need to insult them to show we have good things too.
They have plenty of spirit, just different than us.
Yep, it's the spirit and soul lots of westerners just don't have... We Eastern Europeans are a unique tribe...
@user-ov5nd1fb7s that's how you decided to read my point. I clearly say they don't have the spirit to understand Slavic music..that doesn't mean that they don't have spirit for other music or other things.
@BlueBlossomsBlues yes we are and unfortunately we were not smart and wise enough to stay united and strong. But music and language is something we can't run away from and there is where our spirits will clearly show where we belong.
This is some of the most beautiful and accomplished choral music around, yet western music tradition cannot understand it, let alone feel its soul.
Срещу нас да тичат.....
well said
That's because western "tradition" has no soul.
Not quite; chorus singing is not something special to us Bulgarians. Even US churches have choruses, catholic churches and monks have been chanting for centuries, even aboriginal singing and hakka exist. Not to mention Hindu and native American dancing and singing. Choruses are not unique to us! What is unique, is the steps and unique dissonance, 'kadene' of voices etc.
Обичам България .
That music comes through much more than 20 millennia and probably from another dimension. It strikes direct into the heart. It is beyond understanding and beyond explanation! This phenomenon is called “The mystery of the Bulgarian voices”!
"20 thousand millennia"?
@@nentj ,Българската култура и фолклор се датират много назад в миналото първите доказани са около 300 години след Христа,а съществуват и недоказани,за знаичтелно по-рано от порядъка на 200-400 години преди христа,но там не е ясно точно как и защо се употребява думата "Булгар",и вероятно някой ден ще се появи извор,от който нещата да се прояснят,но Българският народ е последовател на една от древните нации.
Поздрави! :)
@@gameplaychannel7255 Sure thing, but that's 2000 years, homie. Not 20.000.000.000.
@@nentj ,Явно ние сме причината за изчезването на динозаврите,веднага след като сме изградили галактиката... 😅🤣🤣🤣. Шегувам се естествено,а за другото е грешка по една или друга причина... :)
@@gameplaychannel7255 Чета какво пише и стигам до извода, че е грешно, без значение как го погледнем. :)) По принцип бих го подминал, но тук се появява и друго измерение, както и митологизация на типичния славянски фолклор. Аз съм от Сърбия и отлично разбирам тези нюанси, но споменаването на „20 милиарда години“ ми напомни за онези типични балкански истории, където всяка държава е по-древна от Атлантида :))
Hello Beth. I am Bulgarian, but I have been living in England for 8 years. I know this music from my homeland very well. It makes me feel like music coming from a different world, like from the universe. It is no coincidence that we have Bulgarian folklore included in the Golden Record of Voyager and the American spacecraft Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. The song itself that is included in the record is by Valya Balkanska and the song is Izlel Delyo Haidutin. Thank you in advance for the reaction of Kaval Sviri. I hope you like it. Greetings. ❤
И какво търсиш там - пари, лесен живот?! Те там хората май имат едно унизително име за такива като тези избягали на лесното а не борещи се за правото или своето - куиттер.
@manman7985 Не си мъчи акъла какво правя аз където и да е. Гледай си твоята паница. Лесен живот няма никъде. Може би само в твоята кратуна. Като не можеш да пишеш по същество не се мъчи
@manman7985 А хора като теб като са в България какво правят за държавата. Ядеш и пърдиш. Рошляк. По добре я напусни.
@@manman7985сигурно гласуваш за Възраждане
@@manman7985, недейте с лошо. Не всички опира до 💰.
Радвам се ,че харесвате българската народна музика!
Това е истинската българска музика!
😊
Страхотно, настръхвам, като ги слушам!
В ДНК-то е, Велико!
Влизам в страшен бой за тази музика....
@@radoslavpetkov 🤣
As a Bulgarian, I am super proud of our folklore music! Not only the music is awesome, but, on top of that, most of the text are utterly amazing. They are about revolutionary and guerrila fighers, about love, about loss...just amazing.
Haha and as we know other lyrics are hilarious, scary or downright suggestive 😅, we have folk songs about everything.
This choir made me dive head first into the rabbit hole of Bulgarian choirs, and ended up with many new glorious videoes in my favourites😍
You may check the Bulgarian bagpipes. Try searching for "kaba gaidi".
Looks like it's gonna be my fate too :D
Greetings from a Bulgarian woman :) Our folklore music is magical. :)
🎉
Ооо,тепърва ще се сблъскат от нашата култура!
Кавал свири....
Винаги съм знаел,че българите имаме Мидия... Мисия!
I get a tingling sensation starting from my head which then goes throughout my whole body every single time I hear a Bulgarian vocal choire song.
I am Bulgarian and feel the same :-)
I have had the pleasure of hearing this performed live in the open air in the mountains, absolutely breathtaking with the natural reverb of nature. We could hear the singing from miles away echoing through the valley.
Wow!
Back in the 1970s and 80s three vinyl LPs were released called "Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares" and featuring the Bulgarian State Television Female Vocal Choir. The performances were epic and the recording passable - or maybe it was just my copy. Today they're on Spotify. It's a wonderful rabbit hole.
They won a Grammy award too
As a Dutch teenager in the 80s I bought this on CD, much to the bewilderment of my friends who thought I lost my mind. Soon they experienced the mental vortex their music sucked you into when listening to it as stoned as only a Dutch teenager could be in the 80s.
How can you not feel proud to be Bulgarian listening to this?!?!
Don't get too excited - seen Beth go nutz over some mediocre performances... It's just the new "shiny thing" in the room...
@kensei232 WOW, what extraordinary exceptional bright and talented buffoon... I can't believe how lucky am I for the opportunity given to me to touch this bright light, which represents your intellect, your Grace! Hear, hear! The Promised One who was indemnified in the prophecy blessed us with his appearance and he decided to reveal to the world the potential of the stupidity he possesses and how proud he is of himself, what a fool he is. If Your Grace had bothered just to research in the miracle machine called Google what kind of music and song is in the video and when it was sung, and who is singing it would have been clear to Your Grace, that the so-called mediocre performance is performed by one of the best choirs in Bulgaria and that the song is a traditional folk song, which is one of all Bulgarian folk songs that are currently traveling into the big wide space, and also have traveled all over the world and many people have experienced pleasure when listening to it. For this, however, at least a minimal intellect is needed, which you, Your Highness, lack completely and completely more. 2 brain cells - one sets the command - inhale, the other - exhale. Everything else is based on primal instincts, on autopilot. I will be completely honest with you and share that I have never met a more ignorant person. You must be extremely proud of your stupid remark. Your Grace! 🖕
I am from Serbia and it is so familiar to me. This is a classic Balkan (Bulgaria, Serbia, Macedonia) type of singing in seconda and in 7/8. To us it is beautiful, but I understand that it is so strange to you. The theory goes that this kind of singing originates in the mountains. When someone sings it ehoes around and also sounds so powerful while building the suspense until the final resolve.
@@vextenoch the song is not in 7/8. The chorus is 9/8.
There are quite a few differences between Bulgarian and Serbian music. I find that ours (BG) closer to to Romanian and Ukrainian
@milenushka100 Ами, не се сърди веднага. Всичко хубаво. По-подобната е музика на Балканот. Никой в Европа няма 7/8, 9/8 и 11/8 освен България, Сърбия и Македония. Румънците имат по-различан вид музика. В Сърбия имаме и Българи и Румънци.
Ти пък къде отиде в Украйна бе брато. Нищо общо 🤣@@milenushka100
По принцип не харесвам сърби,но мога и да започна от вас зависи...
@@radoslavpetkov това е вашия избор. Не знам какво ви направихме, ама какво да правим. Аз научих български, ходим на Черно море... Всички сме човекови същества. Има добри и лоши.
The song translates roughly to:
"A kaval is playing, mother, (its a type of flute, mostly used in folk music)
upwards and downwards, and under the village (meaning the music is "moving" in and around the village)
I'll go and see it, mother,
I'll go and hear it.
if its one of our kids, (here talking about the musician, and whether he is from "our" village. In BG folk music women never play any of the instruments.)
I'll love him until noon,
if its a "yabandzhiiche", (sweet form of an archaic and dialectic turkish word, meaning a man of another village, i.e. not one of "ours")
I'll love him for life."
The song reflects the deeply rural and family-oriented way of life of agricultural Bulgaria from before the 20th century, where young girls were encouraged to marry into other villages for the obvious reason, that villages were small and people were mostly related to each other.
Защо трябваше да ме разреваваш....
Second couplet starts around 3:13
The clothes of the singers also represent traditional clothing from our many distinct regions, a culture so rich in musical measure, rhythm and style 🤍💚❤️
Glad to see you enjoyed our folklor. Поздрави от България!
If you are used to dissonance, then it's absolutely beautiful. I love Bulgarian Folk music since I discovered it in the 1980s. Yes, some of the harmonies clash without the usual resolutions but once you get used to it, it's natural and it's like getting used to any type of food that's not sweet but has a strong flavor.
More from Bulgaria please!
ua-cam.com/video/D5CPTSCMvOI/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/DqVpIbmq24k/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/-YSILxQLzFo/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/ItW3mNPMYc8/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/SpN45-bC1zY/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/xfULiqNoEGQ/v-deo.html (used in Hummingbird as soundtrack )
ua-cam.com/video/wQ9BkiDEsGw/v-deo.html ( words cannot .. the text is too sad )
ua-cam.com/video/jnxUYsf6GuU/v-deo.html (on the two Voyager spacecrafts - thanks to Carl Sagan and his team)
ua-cam.com/video/5lotGo73GOk/v-deo.html (awesome 100 kaba-bagpapipes)
ua-cam.com/video/4vz3Dyv2kmQ/v-deo.html (Sample of popular uneven beats of Folklore dancing from Thrace)
Let's open Pandora's box. Salute from Bulgaria.
The best choral music is in the Balkans. Saludoos desde 🇦🇷
Здрасти 👋
наздрасти
Какво общо има Кутията на Пандора
Искате да кажете България? Защото точно това е вярното.
As a Bulgarian, I'm so stoked you've found and liked our music!
As a Bulgarian also I’m not surprised at all! We have an amazing music, so unique that I don’t think there is a professional musician who hasn’t heard at least SOMETHING about it! :)))
She didn't like it at all, listen and watch her expressions also the title of the video is saying a lot! This is very typical behavior for people that think they are more then the others and know better, she is mocking us. Which is actually very funny.
@@elicadimitrova18 изобщо не се подиграва и всъщност музиката много и' харесва. Израза it's scratching my brain тя уточнява в коментар, че влага положителен смисъл в него, като колко е добра музиката. И какъв е този масов комплекс на повечето българи, че все някой им се подиграва 🤔🤷♀️
My grandma, now in her late 70s is part of one of those choruses and sings solo. The amount of medals, gold ones, and certificates/recognitions from festivals she has is insane! Very old, mystical indeed but hard as well to master, trust me!
feels at home, no Bulgarian can remain unmoved. A little magic from the land of the Thracians and Orpheus. Quite by chance like Scotland there are bagpipes here and the combination with the magical voices is out of another world. A good example is song "Izlel E Dello Haidutin", recorded on Mount Rozhen in the Rhodope Mountains. I hope one day it will be its turn and this miracle will be analyzed.
Gaitas hay en España, Francia, Antigua Roma, Antiguo Egipto.
Sjajno.Divno je slusati ovako majstorski uvezban hor
Cosmic music! I’m proud to be bulgarian!
Ванга е казала ,че скоро този грешен свят ще признае българите!
Kate Bush has the Trio Bulgarka as back up singers on several songs, most notably on Rocket's Tail, which Kate and the Trio sing a capella for the first half and then her band and David Gilmour join in for the second half. Wonderful song.
Thanks for mentioning this. Love Kate Bush, so immediately looked it up and listened to it twice. Had no idea that dissonance singing was a thing, or was so beautiful!
Магическа, опияняваща хармония!Влиза дълбоко в душата ми!Налива сълзи в очите ми!И се чувствам толкова лека, лека...и политам, нависоко!❤
I've loved this vocal music since hearing recordings of Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares and Trio Bulgarka back in the early 90's.
Мистерията на българските гласове действа уникално върху различните националности.
какво искаш да кажеш?
Най вероятно действа различно на всеки ,националността няма роля
@julikb искам да кажа,че националности от цял свят са пленени от нашият фолклор
Просто хората от България са свикнали с такъв тип звуци, това се опитва да каже коментиращият. Не бъдете такива снежинки. @@julikb
So talented and stunningly beautiful… Bulgarian voices makes my heart soar … I play jazz so close intervals doesn’t itch my brain. The first three girls are goddesses ❤
Cried and felt my ancestors. Totally teleported in the ancient woods and sanctuaries of the Thrace in Sakar and Strandja mountains. magical
It is simply fantastic, sublime, beautiful and transcendental.
But when Kenji Kawai took it even further for the Ghost in the Shell soundtrack, it's just another dimension.
So beautiful and evocative. The whole of the Balkans has some form of this. My personal favorite is Prituri se planinata by Stefka Sabotinova. It was also made into a remix in the 90's. That one it's so haunting that so many years after the first time I heard it still gives me goosebumps.
This music is unique. Bulgarian rhythm and dissonance harmonies are unique
Bulgarian Traditional Song 🎶❤️🎼
Българската народна песен - красота и магия.
Greetings from Bulgaria🇧🇬❤ We are so proud of these amazing women's voices!
This is history and great sister!
And you can't understand that because of the story behind this text!
It is mystical!!!
I love when people react to this song ♥
Greetings from România,caval is a blowing instrument here!
Yes, kaval is the Bulgarian flute.
Old teritory of Romania is Bulgarian
This music is pure magic!
Greetings from Bulgaria!❤
As a Bulgarian, this is in our genes, our DNA.
Dear beth, you need to travel to Shiroka Luka, there is a special school that teaches this singing. It is unique, the breathing technique as well.
Doesnt scratch my brain at all. It sounds awesome!
I mean in the best way!!
It is called "The mystery of the Bulgarian voices" with a reason, girl. The choir you just listened are singing in two voices. One is always low and even( almost like male baritone, and they are singing in only one tone, even, like a bass guitar if you say), and the other is always high and melodic(In the highest soprano to be fair, following the methaphore - like the vocal of the band), which creates a magical and unique sound, as you can see. Most of the foreigners are actually amazed how this is possible, because this kind of singing is extremely difficult. I feel like you think It's a wrong tone(as you played on your piano), and I understand your confussion, but it's not true, my dear. The double voice singing I mentioned is making you feel like that. Play that song again and try to spot both type of voices. You will find out it's actually amazing type of singing you won't here anywhere but in Bulgaria. Greetings from Bulgaria! And excuse my poor English. :D
@@nikichkaaa more than two voices...polyphonic really
I absolutely loved that. Those dissonant harmonies had my shoulders up around my ears, but in the best way and the arrangement was wonderfully complex. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Fun fact: this song is the inspiration for the song Making of Cyborg from Ghost in the shell movie. Keiichi Okabe had agreed with a Bulgarian choir to travel to Japan to record the song for the movie. However, due to administrative issues they couldnt fly to Japan and the song was recorded with Japanese choir.
Makes you wanna cry for no reason, doesn't it? ❤
Welcome to the world of bulgarian folk music ......Let's not forget that Orpheus lived on our lands ❤
Been waiting a long time for this reaction. Love from Bulgaria!
They sound absolutely beautiful!!The same things have been said about punk rock n jazz in the past but i think all of it sounds GREAT!!😊👍Even in nature not all bird sounds are mellifluous.
HELLO FROM BULGARIA. I LOVE BULGARIAN FOLK. ONE BIG BRAVO. 💯🫶🇧🇬👍😃.
Забележителен е българския фолклор!Уникален и неповторим!
The richness and texture of polyphony is the sound of the souls and history of the Bulgarian people and their ancestors ~1500 years back to the Byzantine Empire. ~60 generations that sang it and passed it to the next generation during peace and wars, feasts and famines, celebrations and ceremonies . It gives me goosebumps and awe.
Finally,thanks for the reaction !Greetings from Bulgaria
It was from hearing the dissonances of Bulgarian singers that Jeff Beck was inspired to write "Where Were You", where the melody was played by bending harmonics. There was some dissonance created by playing against the repeat of the previous note. Later he got to play on the same track as the Bulgarian trio singing backup on a Kate Bush album.
There is a song from his album "Jeff" which is called "Bulgaria" (the last one)
Lady, from Bulgaria respect
Поздрави от България, удоволствие за мен е вашата реакция ....🤝
Здравей, from Bulgaria 🇧🇬
An example of one of the many styles in Bulgarian folk music. There was once a foreign TV series - "Zina, the Warrior Princess". They often used our music as background music there. 😊
Greetings from Bulgaria! I feel like the sound resonates in my head too when listening to this traditional song. ❤
Това е България! Велика страна !
Very good reaction. Thank you. Our Bulgarian musical rhythms are many. They are simple, complex, equal, unequal and time signature. As the sizes are an example but 2/4, 2/8, 2/16, 3/8, 3/16, 4/4, 5/4, 5/8, 5/16, 7/8,9/8, 9/16 I am certainly missing many more but this is just an example. The best Bulgarian choir that is currently is the Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices. Musicians from all over the world say that they sing not as they should, but it is very beautiful singing. This is due to the unequal time signatures that we use. In music there are no rules as long as you reach the hearts of the people. I would recommend a relatively new Bulgarian singer for editing and she is Petya Paneva I will post a link below if you are interested. Thank you again for the reaction it was my pleasure
ua-cam.com/video/ECWyExK8nD8/v-deo.htmlsi=jzpCl0TqyhXa0zPc
❤❤❤най чистите гласове
Най чистите лица и прекрасни усмивки
Красота, хармония, уникалност в едно прекрасно съзвучие - това е музиката и песента на България
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Поздрави за всички вас
Bless you, friend of the Bulgarians!
The Bulgarian folklore music is a rabbit hole of it's own. The singing and dancingthe most of the time are intertwined too. Too bad that Bulgarian National TV's vast folklore archive, collected over the last 6-7 decades, is not available on YT
To us bulgarians it just gives you goosebumps ❤
🤍💚❤️ Направо настръхвам като слушам нашият фолклор 🇧🇬
Hi, Beth, I'm Bulgarian and I loved the review. An interesting backstory here is that in the 50's and 60's, talented Bulgarian composers (Filip Kutev mainly, and Petar Lyondev for this song) were given a task to modernize Bulgarian folk music, which was already beautiful, dissonant and with interesting rhythms. Kutev gathered talented women from all across Bulgaria, especially ones with a feisty and independent character, as he described, and organized ensembles with amazing creativity, which even included some influences from jazz music. This unusual level of freedom gave birth to the Mystery of Bulgarian Voices and other fantastic ensembles -- it's really worth diving into this rabbit hole. Love your work!
Am I listening to a different video or understanding English differently?! She cannot even hold her horrified mimic. By the end of the video, the last sentences I think she just realizes she crossed the line
Beth, thank you for popularizing the Bulgarian folklore music. Try Sestri Kushlevi and Rhodope songs too.
Only in the Bulgarian folklore music all uneven tones in the world are evident - in the songs and in the HORO dances too. Enjoy
Gracias por esta presentación. Soy Búlgara. Conozco esta música.. ❤Me gustaría que más gente sepan la misteriosa que es ❤❤❤. Gracias
Two of the most performed choral songs by composer Petar Lyondev are "Ergen Deda" (written in 1975) and "Kaval Sviri" (written in 1979).
I had the honour and the pleasure to know personally Maestro Lyondev and he was extraordinary man and professional! R.I.P. ♪
Българският фолклор е супер! Това е обработка на няколко гласа. Мелодиите, облеклото, шевиците, това е ехо от древността. ❤
Гордея се,че съм Българин,както и с нашата народна музика,която е великолепна. Винаги настръхвам,когато я слушам
Аз е се бия за тази музика !
I find it most captivating. The harmonies are different but also very beautiful.
България е магия! Музиката е медитация! Хорото е лекарство! Традициите са бъдеще! ❤
If you are going into folk choir music, you will do well to also explore Corsica and Portugal (Alentejo, more precisely). These magnificent Bulgarian choirs kind of paved the way in the early days of the "World Music" fad, and a series of recordings where made afterwards from a wide variety of traditions. I personally was exposed to them in the earlty 90's. There is an incredible musical world out there, if you open your mind and ears.
The beginning of the humanity....Eden ❤
Back in the early 1980's there was a series on TV called "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage" with the legendary 'Carl Sagan'.
It used a variety of music from all around the world as background and one piece which I found particularly stunning was:-
"Izlel ye Delyo Haydutin" - Performed by Valya Balkanska : ua-cam.com/video/7lJYq6bjHTQ/v-deo.html
They used this kind of choir music for Disney's "Brother Bear" (check out Sideways video on it if you haven't yet), this really tickles your brain and gives you goosebumps every time! ❤
YES!! YES!!! YESS!!!!! I am heavily involved in the world of drum and bugle coprs and first got turned on to Bulgarian folk music when a corps from Denver did this very pice back in 2000. Since then I have been deep down the rabbit hole that is Bulgarian folk. So glad this finally ended up on your radar!
This music and rhythms are ancient and are a legacy of the ancestors of the Bulgarians, the Thracians.
Thracians are Bulgarians!!!
Thank you from Bulgaria.
Sending love from Bulgaria ❤ My favourite Bulgarian song is “Pusta mladost” (Empty youth). Really worth checking it ;)
@ Merry Christmas to you as well, love your reaction of Bulgarian folklore music ❤️
It's more like ,,Damn (that )youth'' than Empty youth
I would highly recommend Danislav Kehayov's unplanned performance of "Rufinka Bolna Legnala" under the rotunda of Utah's Capitol
Discovered this awesomely unique music tradition after watching the awesomely atmospheric Ghost in the Shell anime back in the 90s where inspiration from Bulgarian folk music was easy to see in soundtrack and opening score. Unfortunately I've failed to convince either of my friends, regardless of what they listen to. Even classically trained musician friends say that they don't like the "e" sound, which just boggles my mind when it can be used like this.
Es impresionante.Soy búlgara y siempre se me pone la piel de gallina....
The OLDEST Human civilization started in Aria - all around the White Lake - now called Black See, Bulgarians are Arians - they are extraordinary people with pure ancient DNA and culture. All people that came to Bulgaria are amused by the energy, culture, music and ancient history here... In our museums we have artifacts dated 8000 years ago, and of course the OLDES GOLDEN TREASURES in the world.
I love their music. Thanks for analyzing it. Kate Bush's excellent album THE SENSUAL WORLD features Bulgarian choral singers along with rock guitar styling of David Gilmour...hard to imagine but beautiful.
Just check out Neli Andreeva - 'Malka moma' or Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares - 'Ergen Deda'. And the lyrics...
Prelepa pesma
Worth checking out is a collaboration between The Bulgarian Voices choir and the Tuvan throat-singing group Huun-Huur-Tu. The combination of the Bulgarian choir harmonies, ancient Tuvan/Altai instruments and throat-singing is haunting. Especially a song called "Fly, Fly My Sadness" and I think there is a live version available here on YT.
The best harmony in the world !!!
Thank you for reacting to Bulgarian music. I would like to suggest one more Bulgarian folkor:
"Валя Балканска (Valya Balkanska) - Излел Е Дельо Хайдутин (Original Version)"
There's is so cool folk music out there. Thank you bring this music friend 🫶 🎵🎶🎵
Beth, what comes to mind right away is for you to visit my choir, Bulgapeya, in Brussels, to get a first-hand experience of the Kafal by singing along with the rest of us (almost all of whom are English-speaking Bulgarian women). Fun is guaranteed!
I remember reading decades ago how Bulgarian folk music has a propensity for time signatures that to westerners seem weird. Rather than a 3/4 waltz or a 4/4 reel or other typical dance, they might use 11/ or 17/4 etc. Inspired by a Bulgarian orchestra member, the great jazz trumpeter/composer band leader Don Ellis composed and recorded Bulgarian Bulge in 33/16 time - ua-cam.com/video/RGsRxvXEGI0/v-deo.html