Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

A concert hails 70th birthday of Artin Potourlyan

The celebration concert at the National Music Academy
Photo: Albena Bezovska
In spite of all sorts of political, economic and social cataclysms in Bulgarian history there have always been talented people who have adamantly withheld their creative and professional positions. One of them is no doubt composer Artin Potourlyan. A few days ago, the National Music Academy where he is a professor, organized a concert to celebrate his 70th birthday. Works from various creative periods of Artin Potourlyan were performed by famous musicians including Prof. Alexander Ilchev (violin), Prof. Lidia Oshavkova (flute), soprano Rositsa Panayotova, the pianists Diana Rahneva, Galina Apostolova and others. We also listened to Anaida Akopyan, a piano pedagogue and wife of the composer.

© Photo: archive

After graduating in composition from the Pancho Vladigerov National Music Academy in Sofia, Artin Potourlyan continued his studies at the Conservatory in Yerevan. Since 1990 he has been lecturing in polyphony at the NMA in Sofia. He has authored an opera, orchestral works, piano works etc.
“Every sound carries a message that is very important. Everything is very complex, but listeners accept it based on intuition. Vibration is energy directly linked to the nature of the materials that music instruments are made of, and to the nature of the performer. This matter can be organized in various ways but it is paramount for me that every sound should carry a message”, Prof. Potourlyan argues. His sensitivity to a range of timbres and the freedom with which he merges contemporary and classical music techniques of composition mark his individual style. We can spot this style in The Song of the Chepelare Rooster in the wonderful rendition of Gergana Ilcheva and in Four Spiritual Chants for pipe organ interpreted with brilliance by Velin Iliev.

English version: Daniela Konstantinova
По публикацията работи: Albena Bezovska


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

A "Christmas Miracle" is here to hear

One of the latest releases is "Christmas Miracle" , performed by young singers Stefani Ilieva and Stoycho Stoychev, aka STOYCHOS. "With this duet we hope to reach people's hearts, so that everyone can identify with our message, get a feeling of..

published on 12/23/24 2:00 PM

Johann Strauss Ensemble from Austria brings Vienna Magic to Veliko Tarnovo

The Johann Strauss Ensemble from Austria, with conductor Russell McGregor, will give a Christmas concert Vienna Magic at the Vasil Levski palace of culture and sports in Veliko Tarnovo tonight. The concert will feature special guest stars..

published on 12/21/24 7:15 AM

Svetoglas male chamber ensemble celebrates 15 years on stage

With performances of selected songs from their repertoire, the Svetoglas male chamber ensemble will celebrate 15 years on stage . The four singers: Daniel Spasov, Stanimir Ivanov, Nikolay Boyanov and Milen Ivanov sing acapella (without instrumental..

published on 12/16/24 11:52 AM