The Acoustics of Bulgaria: Stefan Valdobrev and Begliktash
An ancient Thracian sanctuary near Primorsko provided an acoustic stage for a new musical project that returns to the roots of Bulgarian history and culture. Stefan Valdobrev and his band "The Usual Suspects" exciting project, titled "The Acoustics of Bulgaria", continues to explore the country's most significant archaeological and historical sites. Their latest recording took place at the mystical Thracian sanctuary of Begliktash, located near Primorsko.
The team of musicians focused on working on the sixth song from the project, symbolically named "Equinox". In a conversation with media representatives, Stefan Valdobrev shared his personal connection to this ancient site. He said that although he had visited Begliktash many times over the years, it wasn't until he was older that he began to realize the true power and sacredness of the place.
The musician revealed that this process of realization prompted him to delve into the essence of the sanctuary, and he began to learn and understand the meaning of Thracian rituals, rites, and the importance of the solstices and equinoxes.
"This attracted me more and more", he shared. It was this deep understanding that motivated him to choose Begliktash as part of his project.
According to Valdobrev, when he decided to realize "The Acoustics of Bulgaria", he returned to the sanctuary with the idea of finding the perfect place for recordings. The well-known actor and musician began walking among the giant rock blocks, clapping his hands to test the acoustics and find places that resonated with the vibrations of the ancient stones.
The biggest innovation in the project, however, lies in its technical realization.
"We decided to make a new song, which is titled 'Equinox' and I think the most interesting thing is that, as we announced at the press conference at BTA in May, these songs, which are related to Thracian sanctuaries and Thracian sites, the instruments will be tuned to a different standard – 432 hertz, and not, as is currently the case – bands are at 440 hertz, and symphony orchestras are at 442", Valdobrev revealed.
According to the musician, who references research by scientists, the ancient Thracians tuned their instruments to exactly 432 hertz. He describes this tuning as
"much closer to the vibrations of the Earth"and
"cosmic vibrations". This frequency, he said, creates a feeling of
"harmony, balance, calmness". In contrast, Valdobrev points out that over time, the tuning of instruments has increased, especially in the 20th century, and this increase is consistent with
"the increase in the speed of tension"in the modern world.
"And so, we decided to go back in time and make a song at 432 hertz, as it was during the time of Orpheus", he added, emphasizing the project's goal of creating a bridge between the past and the present.
The project "The Acoustics of Bulgaria" is a large-scale initiative that has already covered several key locations in the country. The recordings began at:
- the prehistoric site of "Provadia – Solnitsata", known as the oldest salt production center in Europe;
- the Roman Baths in Varna;
- the architectural monument Teketo "Ak Yazalı baba – St. Athanasius" in the village of Obrochiste, Balchik;
- the remarkable "Palace" in Balchik.
Just before arriving at Begliktash, the team worked at three different locations in Sozopol.
The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is a key media partner of the project, which guarantees wide publicity for this unique cultural initiative. With each new recording, Stefan Valdobrev and "The Usual Suspects" continue to reveal the untold stories of Bulgaria, inspired by its ancient acoustics.