1ST London Festival of Bulgarian Culture Programme www.lfbc.eu 2 – 26 November 2010 Presented and organised by Brochure Design by Classical Concerts Productions Evgeni Vasilev www.classicalconcertsproductions.com www.LLip.org V089X FESTIVAL 2 November, 7:30pm Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall PROGRAMME Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares BY DATES: Belvedere Road Children presented by London “Dimitar Berbatov” Foundation SE1 8XX 3 November, 7.30pm Royal Northern College of Music 124 Oxford Road Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares Manchester Presented by Serious M13 9RD 4 November, 7.30pm Birmingham Town Hall Victoria Square Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares Birmingham Presented by Serious B3 3DQ 5 November, 7:30pm St. James’s Piccadilly The Bridge String Quartet St James’s Church Devorina Gamalova - violin / viola 197 Piccadilly London W1J 9LL 12 November, 7:30pm St. John’s Smith Square London Bulgarian Choir Smith Square London SW1P 19 November, 7:30pm St. James’s Piccadilly The Forte String Quartet St James’s Church Sarkis Zakarian - piano 197 Piccadilly London W1J 9LL 26 November, 7:30pm St. James’s Piccadilly Sofi a Soloists Chamber Orchestra St James’s Church Kristine Blaumane – violoncello 197 Piccadilly Vania Vatralova-Stankov – soprano London Ivo Stankov – violin W1J 9LL 1 – 13 November Bulgarian Embassy in London 186-188 Queen’s Gate Exhibition London SW7 5HL 7 and 20 November Bulgarian Embassy in London Educational Events: 186-188 Queen’s Gate Violin, viola, and violoncello London Master Classes SW7 5HL Bulgarian Embassy in London 14 November 186-188 Queen’s Gate Violin competition London SW7 5HL FROM THE ORGANISER IVO STANKOV I would like to welcome you to London Festival of Bulgarian We are presenting three World and four UK Premieres, two Culture, where the breadth, artistry and history of Bulgarian of them written especially for the festival. Gwyn Pritchard, culture, will be showcased in the fi rst festival to celebrate John Howard, and The Bridge Quartet will, through their Bulgarian arts in London. compositions and performances, portray their views of Bulgarian music and what is more, will take a personal There are a number of reasons why such an event is taking and distinct look of the unique rhythms and sounds which place now in London. It is true to say that the general public characterize it. in the UK knows very little about Bulgarian culture and, as a musician, I would add that it is perhaps especially true for Martin Georgiev and Dobrinka Tabakova are two of the most Bulgarian classical music. The idea of presenting works sought after young generation of Bulgarian composers. by Bulgarian composers gradually evolved in my mind Both are based in London, have won major prizes at over the last few years, and became “alive” around two competitions and already gained international recognition, years ago when my wife and I decided that it was time that and have established their unique and personal style. I we, as performers and Bulgarians living in London, should am delighted that their works will also be premiered in our do something about propagating our rich cultural heritage festival’s programme. in arguably the biggest cultural capital of the world. Lastly I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to our friends, The programme in our fi rst edition of the festival features supporters, and patrons, who have contributed to this project. mainly concerts, but also includes an exhibition, and two In this very challenging current fi nancial climate, it is nothing educational events – instrumental master classes and short of a miracle that the festival has become a reality. a violin competition. Some of the most internationally Despite a few setbacks, and the general lack of fi nancial renowned Bulgarian musicians will take part, and works support from the Bulgarian Government, I am thrilled that we of the most celebrated Bulgarian composers from the 20th have received signifi cant support from both the Bulgarian Century, their names mostly unknown in the UK, will be Embassy in London, and also of many individuals and performed. But this festival is not confi ned to presenting companies in Bulgaria and the UK. This makes me feel and propagating our national culture and achievements, optimistic about the future - my vision for this festival is that it is also about establishing a dialogue of fresh and new it should take place every two years, expanding its diversity creative ideas and art experimentation between artists and establishing itself as one of the most interesting, vibrant, living in London and Bulgaria. and dynamic cultural forums in London. A WORD FROM OUR PATRONS AMBASSADOR LYUBOMIR KYUCHUKOV DIMITAR BERBATOV SONIA ROUVE-OUVALIEVA Culture is wealth, yet a wealth that It is wonderful that London will As Director of the Ouvaliev increases when shared. have a chance to sample through Foundation, a charitable foundation this festival the Bulgarian culture registered in Bulgaria for the The London Festival of Bulgarian which we are proud of. Our culture, promotion of culture in the name of Culture, will give the British audience the quest for education and the the Ouvaliev family, I am especially an opportunity to discover the upholding of our traditions through happy to support this initiative. The beauty of Bulgarian traditional and the centuries are the reason for the London Festival of Bulgarian Culture, contemporary music and art, and survival of our national spirit. with its rich musical programme, is will enhance cultural and business sure to be a great success. links between Bulgaria and the UK. I am delighted that through the The Bulgarian Embassy is proud to talents of the children “Dimitar support this festival and hopes you Berbatov Foundation” is presenting will enjoy its exciting programme. at the festival, the audience will be able to appreciate their special gifts, which certainly will carry over that spirit into the future. FESTIVAL PROGRAMME BULGARIAN COMPOSERS Our concert programme is packed with many fantastic music pieces. It will feature works written by some of the most celebrated Bulgarian composers from the 20th Century such as, Pancho Vladigerov, Marin Goleminov & Parashkev Hadjiev. THREE WORLD PREMIERES John Howard - From Darkness Into Light Performance details: John Howard’s new work called “From Darkness Into Light”, is a Concertino for Friday, 5th of November, Violin/Viola and String Quartet inspired by and dedicated to the soloist Devorina St. James’s Piccadilly Gamalova. It features a soloist who begins the work playing viola, and changes The Bridge Quartet / Devorina to violin at about the halfway point. The work is in one continuous movement. Gamalova – violin/viola “From Darkness Into Light” is John Howard’s 3rd quartet. The musical material includes folk song material from Bulgaria and other Eastern European sources. Interesting fact: For the fi rst time in the world a composition features a soloist changing instruments – from viola to violin, halfway through the performance. Martin Georgiev – String Quartet No1 Performance details: Inspired by the Bulgarian Eastern-Orthodox Chant, and developing its modality Friday, 19th of November, and microtonal features through a method infl uenced by the technique of St. James’s Piccadilly “morphing images” in cinema, this string quartet explores a confl ict between the The Forte String Quartet spiritual and the earthly in a concise yet dramatic narrative. Interesting fact: ‘Morphing Modality’ is Martin Georgiev’s particular compositional method developed upon features of Bulgarian and Byzantine Chant. Those traditions exhibit a unique approach to modality and music theory, distinctly different from both the Antic modal system and the Western modality which has been developed on its basis. Kiril Todorov - Six new songs for the London Bulgarian Choir Performance details: Acclaimed composer Kiril Todorov (Emeritus Professor of the Bulgarian Academy Friday, 12th of November, of Arts and Science) has a unique style fusing folk and jazz into a thrilling new St. John’s Smith Square a cappella genre. He has written for some of Bulgaria’s leading folk ensembles London Bulgarian Choir and his works are already a vital and favourite part of the London Bulgarian Choir’s repertoire. To celebrate its tenth anniversary, the Choir commissioned the composer to write six special songs which will be premiered at this concert. The songs were crafted for almost a year in both Bulgaria and in London and we are very proud to present them to you for the fi rst time. Interesting fact: The London Bulgarian Choir is unusual by Bulgarian folk choir standards because it has men. The choral arrangements it performs are substantially rearranged to accommodate the male element. Kiril’s new songs are the fi rst major commission in the genre for a mixed choir. THREE ANNIVERSERY CELEBRATIONS We will be celebrating the 20th Anniversaries of two of the most renowned string quartets in the UK and USA respectively The Bridge Quartet and The Forte String Quartet, as well as celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the London Bulgarian Choir! FOUR UK PREMIERES Gwyn Pritchard – “In The Silence of Turned Earth” for soprano, violin, and string Performance details: orchestra (text by Imogen Robertson) Friday, 26th of November, In the Silence of Turned Earth was composed for the present performers, and St. James’s Piccadilly is a response to the suggestion that the piece should in some way relate to Sofi a Soloists Chamber Orchestra, Bulgarian music. Although there are no audible, direct references to any Vania Vatralova-Stankov - soprano, specifi c features of traditional Bulgarian music, the composition of the work Ivo Stankov - violin was nonetheless effected by the composer’s experience of listening to a large amount of Bulgarian folk music. The text, specially written by Imogen Robertson, also touches on a traditional Bulgarian theme. Interesting fact: The World Premiere of this work with Sofi a Soloists and Stankov Ensemble was performed on 16th of September 2010 in Sofi a, as part of the celebrations of Day of Sofi a.