The Bulgarian Polyphonic Church Music (From 1878 to the 1930s)

Abstract

The polyphonic choral singing is presented in Bulgaria after the Liberation from Turkish slavery in 1878. For the perceptions of our first professional musicians it is a musical “advancement” and chance for us to be raised up “next to the culturally elevated nations”. Polyphony is introduced mostly in the central part of the divine service – Liturgy. The first Bulgarian professional musicians (almost all of whom have passed through sacred choirs, conducting) introduced sacred music in their creative work, understanding the necessity for establishment of a Bulgarian style of sacred music, of “national body of works for sacred singing”.