Bulgarian Harmony: In Village, Wedding, and Choral Music of the Last Century (SOAS Studies in Music)

An in-depth study of the Bulgarian harmonic system is long overdue. More than two decades since the Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares choir was awarded a Grammy (1990), there is no scholarly study of the captivating sounds of Bulgarian vertical sonorities. Kalin Kirilov traces the gradual formation of a unique harmonic system that developed in three styles of Bulgarian music: village music from the 1930s to the 1990s, wedding music from the 1970s to 2000, and choral arrangements (obrabotki) - creations of the socialist period (1944-1989), popularized by Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares. Kirilov classifies the different approaches to harmony and situates them in their historical and cultural contexts, establishing new systems for analysis. In the process, he introduces a new system for the categorization of scales. Kirilov argues that the ready-made concepts that are frequently forced onto Bulgarian music - ‘westernization’, ‘socialist’ or ‘Middle Eastern influence’, are not only outdated but also too vague to be of use in understanding the sophisticated modal and harmonic systems found in Bulgarian music. As an insider who has performed, composed and arranged this music for 30 years, Kirilov is uniquely qualified to interpret it for an international audience. "An in-depth study of the Bulgarian harmonic system is long overdue. More than two decades since the Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares choir was awarded a Grammy (1990), there is no scholarly study of the captivating sounds of Bulgarian vertical sonorities. Kalin Kirilov traces the gradual formation of a unique harmonic system that developed in three styles of Bulgarian music: village music from the 1930s to the 1990s, wedding music from the 1970s to 2000, and choral arrangements (obrabotki) - creations of the socialist period (1944-1989), popularized by Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares. Kirilov classifies the different approaches to harmony and situates them in their historical and cultural contexts, establishing new systems for analysis. In the process, he introduces a new system for the categorization of scales. Kirilov argues that the ready-made concepts that are frequently forced onto Bulgarian music - 'westernization', 'socialist' or 'Middle Eastern influence', are not only outdated but also too vague to be of use in understanding the sophisticated modal and harmonic systems found in Bulgarian music. As an insider who has performed, composed and arranged this music for 30 years, Kirilov is uniquely qualified to interpret it for an international audience"--Publisher's website Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 List of Maps and Music Examples 8 Preface 14 1 Introduction 18 2 Mapping the Cultural Terrain 24 3 Mapping the Musical Terrain 38 4 Chordal Vocabulary and Primary Characteristics of the Bulgarian Harmonic Style 68 5 Harmony and Accompaniment in Village Style 100 6 Harmony in Bulgarian Wedding Music: Trakiya’s Dance and Concert Repertoire from the 1970s–1990s 130 7 Harmony in Choral Obrabotki: Choral Arrangements and Compositions from the 1950s–1980s 180 8 Conclusion 230 Appendix A Compact Disc Track List 232 Appendix B Biographies of Bulgarian Composers 236 Appendix C Pronunciation Guide to the Sounds in the Bulgarian Alphabet 238 Appendix D Glossary of Bulgarian Terms 239 Bibliography and Discography 242 Index 246 In Village, Wedding, and Choral Music of the Last Century Mapping The Cultural Terrain -- Mapping The Musical Terrain -- Chordal Vocabulary And Primary Characteristics Of The Bulgarian Harmonic Style -- Harmony And Accompaniment In Village Style -- Harmony In Bulgarian Wedding Music: Trakiya's Dance And Concert Repertoire From The 1970s-1990s -- Harmony In Choral Obrabotki: Choral Arrangements And Compositions From The 1950s-1980s. Kalin S. Kirilov. Accompanying Compact Disc Contains Musical Examples. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. More than two decades since the Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares choir was awarded a Grammy (1990), there is no scholarly study of the captivating sounds of Bulgarian vertical sonorities. This book offers an in-depth study of the Bulgarian harmonic system is long overdue.