Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Remembering Marcel Cellier, discoverer of "The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices"

Marcel and Catherine Cellier
Photo: library

Ten years ago today, Swiss ethno-musicologist and music producer Marcel Cellier (1925-2013) passed away. He left behind a bright mark in the history of Bulgarian music in this country and around the world. Marcel Cellier and his wife Catherine devoted a large part of their lives to Bulgarian folklore - love that dates back to the middle of the 20th century, when they first heard Bulgarian folk songs broadcast on BNR. It was music that captivated them and linked their lives with "the mystery of Bulgarian voices", the archives of the BNR recall. This is the person who presented to the world the performances of the Ensemble for Folk Songs of the Bulgarian Radio, which became famous around the globe under the name "The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices".

Marcel Cellier began cooperation with the Bulgarian National Radio by purchasing recordings for a radio broadcast in Switzerland dedicated to Bulgarian choral singing. The 30-minute radio shows were broadcast once a month from 1960 to 1990. "The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices," as Catherine Cellier called the show, became a trademark. In 1975, the first album under the title "The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices" emerged. The second album under the same title was awarded a "Grammy" in the category "Best Traditional Folk Recording" for 1989.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sunny weather in most of Bulgaria on Thursday, with fog near rivers

Overnight it will be clear. The wind will die down in most areas. After midnight along the Danube River, in lowlands and near rivers fogs will form and visibility will be reduced with low clouds. Minimum temperatures will be between minus 3°C and 2°C,..

published on 11/27/24 7:25 PM

EU ambassadors reach agreement on Bulgaria’s entry into Schengen by land

The ambassadors of the EU Member States have reached a preliminary agreement on the draft decision to abolish checks at internal land borders for Bulgaria and Romania. This is planned to happen on January 1, 2025. The decision is expected to be finally..

published on 11/27/24 5:45 PM

Shopping malls vow to step up security after series of aggressive acts

Shopping malls in Sofia and across the country will increase the number of security guards where needed. Additional panic buttons are also to be put in place if retailers wish, the Bulgarian Retail Association said. Groups of suspicious persons will be..

published on 11/27/24 4:44 PM