Harmony in Bulgarian Music
Loading...
Date
2007
Authors
Kirilov, Kalin Stanchev
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
This study focuses on the development of harmonic vocabulary in Bulgarian
music. It analyzes the incorporation of harmony in village music from the 1930s to the
1990s, "wedding music" from the 1970s to 2000, and choral and instrumental
arrangements (obrabotki, creations of the socialist period (1944-1989). This study also
explains that terms which are frequently applied to Bulgarian music, such as
"westernization," "socialist-style arrangements," or "Middle Eastern influence," depict
sophisticated networks of codified and non-codified rules for harmonization which to
date have not been studied. The dissertation classifies different approaches to harmony in
the above mentioned styles and situates them in historical and cultural contexts, examines
existing principles for harmonizing and arranging Bulgarian music, and establishes new
systems for analysis. It suggests that the harmonic language of the layers of Bulgarian
music is based upon systems of rules which can be approached and analyzed using
Western music theory. TV1y analysis of harmony in Bulgarian music focuses on representative examples of each style discussed. These selections are taken from the most
popular and well-received compositions available in the repertoire.
Description
555 pages
Keywords
Music -- Bulgaria -- History and criticism, Folk music -- Bulgaria -- History and criticism, Harmony