Traditionnal bulgarian songs – polyphonies
The voice of water
February 17 to 21, 2025
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
This training program is designed to immerse participants in the rich tradition of Bulgarian folk singing. Led by Milena JELIAZKOVA, the course offers an in-depth exploration of the unique elements of traditional Bulgarian music, focusing on rhythmic complexity, regional styles, and modal structures. Participants will gain a deep understanding of this cultural heritage through a structured and progressive approach.
FINAL OBJECTIVE
- Mastery of Irregular Rhythms:
Participants will develop a solid understanding of the distinctive irregular rhythms (odd meters) found in Bulgarian music, such as 5/8, 7/8, and 9/8, which are central to the genre. This includes learning how to identify, count, and precisely perform these rhythms, as they form the foundation of Bulgarian folk music. - Introduction to Bulgarian Modalities:
The course will introduce participants to the various modes (scales) used in traditional Bulgarian music, such as the Dorian, Phrygian, and Lydian scales, among others. Understanding these modes will enhance the participants’ ability to interpret and perform songs with authenticity and stylistic precision. - Recognition of Regional Styles:
Participants will learn to distinguish between the various regional styles of Bulgarian folk music, such as those from Thrace, Pirin, Rhodope, and others. Each region has its own unique characteristics in terms of rhythm, vocal technique, and instrumentation. Mastering these distinctions is key to understanding the diversity and richness of Bulgarian musical traditions. - Vocal Techniques and Ornamentation:
Through hands-on practice, participants will refine their vocal techniques specific to Bulgarian folk singing, including diaphragmatic breathing, strong projection, and the use of complex ornamentation (melismas). These skills are essential for accurately reproducing the emotional intensity and energy typical of Bulgarian folk songs. - Cultural and Historical Context:
The course will provide a historical and cultural overview of Bulgarian folk music, exploring its roots, significance, and evolution within Bulgarian society. This contextual understanding will enrich the participants’ interpretation and deepen their connection to the songs performed. - Improvisation and Interpretation:
Participants will be encouraged to experiment with improvisation within the framework of Bulgarian music’s modal structures and rhythmic patterns. This fosters creativity and personal expression while adhering to the traditional forms and styles of the genre. - Polyphonic Singing and Group Dynamics:
Wanting to engage with this polyphonic art already implies awareness of the group work to be accomplished, as the very notion of “polyphony” invites greater listening to others and a realization of oneself within a singing ensemble. Thus, singing polyphonies (Bulgarian or others) becomes synonymous with teamwork—a work that calls for the pleasure of sound, the joy of being together, creating sound together, and making meaning together. Interpreting polyphonic songs means accepting one’s own voice (path) within the group but also harmonizing it with those of others, thereby creating a unity from everyone’s differences.
By the end of the training, participants will not only have acquired technical skills to perform Bulgarian folk songs but will also have developed a comprehensive appreciation of the cultural, historical, and musical significance of this art form. They will be equipped with the necessary tools to confidently perform and teach these traditional songs, thus contributing to the preservation and transmission of Bulgarian folk heritage.
REPERTOIRES AND THEME
In this unique masterclass, Milena Jeliazkova proposes to approach traditional Bulgarian songs through the lens of water. Water as a source of life, a means of purifying the body and soul, a pretext for love and social life, a place of transition requiring moral and spiritual initiation, and, finally, as a character in its own right.
In traditional Bulgarian songs, water represents divine seed, feminine principle, pagan and sacred mystery. It purifies icons, heals weary bodies and souls, eases the pain of the deceased, but also punishes arrogant humanity through torrential rains, overflowing rivers, or hail sent by sinners from the Afterlife. Water is Fire when symbolizing consuming passion, Water is Earth when it nourishes the hungry and the barren, Water is Air when it allows initiation into true life.
Bulgarian polyphonic songs, both secular and sacred, have traversed centuries while maintaining their originality. Widely spread in France for about thirty years, they remain enigmatic to Western ears.
The dissonant folk music characteristic of Bulgarian secular songs, which has been orally transmitted for centuries, continues to captivate audiences thanks to its powerful emotional charge. Liturgical songs in Old Church Slavonic also deeply move performers, but in a different way, and the contagious enthusiasm of these two types of Bulgarian songs encourages more and more amateur listeners, as well as students of singing eager to enrich their musical knowledge, along with their teachers, to take the step towards interpretation.
GENERAL CONTENT
- Body Warm-up:
Alignment, preparation of the body to find resonances, breath control, relaxation, grounding, inner listening, concentration, energy. - Exploration of Timbres:
Voice placement (specificities according to pitches), sound control, vowel work, articulation, spoken and sung voice. - Polyphonic Approach:
Work on modal intervals and chords, managing “discomfort.” - Introduction to Irregular Rhythms: Breath control and specificities.
- Ornamentation (in free singing and odd rhythms).
- Interpretation: Vocal expression work combining technique and artistic identity, improvisation exercises, exploration of various emotional registers (affective memory) and vocal intentions, immediate perception and self-relationship, text work, exploration of sensations and imagination to serve interpretation.
- The Role of the Body:
Stage space and scenic presence, exploration of “letting go”—no longer trying to “do well” but allowing oneself to “be.”
Techniques may vary depending on the duration of the workshop and the participants’ level.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
The masterclass is open to both beginner and advanced singers; however, a good ear and accurate pitch are essential.
CONDITION OF PARTICIPATION
The masterclass is open to both beginners and experienced singers, although a good ear and the ability to sing in tune are essential.
REGISTER NOW
>> ON-LINE REGISTRATION <<
>> RATES AND REGISTRATION PROCEDURE <<
BIOGRAPHY
Bulgarian and French citizen, Milena JELIAZKOVA began her piano and singing studies at the age of six with Kristina Boeva, professor emeritus of the Academy of Musical Arts in Plovdiv. At the same time she took lessons in traditional Bulgarian songs and dances with her mother, a singer and dancer in “Ensemble Trakiya”. After eight years of both, classical and traditional training in her country, she invested herself, in France, with BALKANES, a quartet of Bulgarian a cappella polyphonies, in traditional Bulgarian singing and the world of sacred Slon and Byzantine songs. Milena has been singing since 1997 in this a cappella female ensemble that performs in France, Switzerland, Italy, Bulgaria, Tunisie, Germany, USA…
Her eclectic musical tastes have led her to become increasingly interested in the traditional songs of the world in general and the various singing techniques attached to them.
In 2006, she created with Jean-Pierre Caporossi and Tony Canton the project KËF – élektro Balkans. Milena has also been singing for 15 years in the Cie Henri AGNEL, which explores medieval and contemporary Mediterranean repertoires and with which she tours in France and abroad.
In 2017, she co-founded the SIBYLLES TRIO with Françoise ATLAN and Milena ROUDEVA, and in 2019 the “MUSTAAR” voice and percussion duo, with Malik ADDA. That same year, she was chosen by Simon-Pierre BESTION, founder, and artistic director of the company LA TEMPÊTE, as soloist in traditional singing for his creation “Prophet(s)/Jerusalem” sponsored by the Festival of Saint-Denis and the Basilica of Vézelay.
In 2020, the BALKANES quartet of which she is the driving force, is chosen by ANDRÉ MANOUKIAN to sing on the new CD of the jazzman heart and to perform with him on tour from 2022.
In February 2021, the DUO SOURCIÈRES, songs of women from East and West, was born, with Els JANSSENS-VANMUNSTER, singer and artistic director of the MORA VOCIS Ensemble.
Milena composes and arranges for all these ensembles, co-animates vocal workshops for all audiences in France, Italy and Switzerland, teaches Bulgarian singing at the International Institute of World Music (iimm.fr) and offers vocal and scenic coaching to beginners and experienced singers (graduated from Harmoniques, Paris.)
Discography: Publications:
BALKANES « Ochté », 2003 « La Bulgare », roman, Hello Editions, 2022BALKANES « Kœsmet », 2012
Cie HENRI AGNEL « Los Kaminos », 2014
BALKANES « Séfarades », 2016
A. MANOUKIAN « Anouch », 2022
VIDEO EXTRACT