Prominent Bulgarian composer Krasimir Kyurkchiiski passed away on Decemeber 15. For the past 20 years he was living the architectural and historical reserve of Bozhenzi, where he created his music.
The String Quartet by Krasimir Kyurkchiiski brought the first big award to the composer in 1966 during the Paris Music Weeks Festival. This was the prize for best foreign composition. At that time I realized that I am on the right path and that great treasures can be found in the Bulgarian folklore, the composer once said about the moment when he received the award. The composer was born in the beautiful town of Troyan and later studied in Sofia in the class of Pancho Vladigerov before specializing in Moscow with Dmitri Shostakovich. After his return to Bulgaria he worked with the Filip Kutev Folklore Ensemble and fell in love with the folk song. This love later transferred to the world known Mystery of Bulgarian Voices Choir.
Every Bulgarian folk choir has performed pieces by Kyurkchiiski. They have become popular all over the world, just like the masterpiece “Kalimanku Denku, mari”, performed by the folklore ensemble of the BNR and soloist Yanka Rupkina.
“I am happy when I discover a good song and feel its resistance when I try to change it. It must have a contemporary sound but coming from the harmony with symphony music,” the late composer Krassimir Kyurkchiski once said. This was how the “Concert for piano and orchestra” dedicated to Pancho Wladigeroff was born.
Krassimir Kyurkchiiski was one of the greatest modern composers. His works are diverse. He is the author of the Koziyat Rog (Goat’s Horn) ballet.
English: Alexander Markov
