Podcast in English
Audio Player
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 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

Week starts with snow and freezing temperatures

On Monday there will be snow showers or a mix of rain and snow in many places. The precipitation will decrease and stop, and the clouds will clear in the evening. The minimum temperature will be minus 3°C, around minus 1°C in Sofia, and the maximum will..

published on 4/6/25 6:05 PM

After the fire: Emergency break for students at the National School of Applied Arts in Tryavna

After a fire destroyed the roof of the historic National High School of Applied Arts in Tryavna  on Friday morning, students are taking a week-long emergency break. With the help of the fire brigade, civil protection teams and local businesses, the..

published on 4/6/25 5:33 PM

Police continue large-scale inspections of dangerous road sections

The large-scale inspection, carried out by the competent police structures of the National Police Directorate and the regional directorates of the Interior Ministry, will continue next week to get the full picture - where, what and how many are the..

published on 4/6/25 4:01 PM