Whether it will be telling a story in a gentle voice or will have the sound of a clarion, the trombone is an instrument held in high esteem in the brass section of the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra. Its potential is evident in numerous Bulgarian and world classics. Leader of the Symphony Orchestra’s trombone group is Atanas Karafezliev.

“I started playing the trombone at the music school in my home town of Bourgas,” Atanas Karafezliev says. “Mine is not a family of musicians, but it was my father who advised me to take up music. I first played the guitar at the Children’s music centre but as at my own school guitar was not an option I chose trombone and I never regretted it. As a student at the National Music Academy I joined the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra and here I am, 24 years later first trombone. For many years I was assistant to Prof. Dimitar Momchilov in trombone at the Academy and I am now associate professor at its Chamber Music department.”

This is, in brief, Atanas Karafezliev’s calling card. But his career as a performer abounds in musical events. He has taken part in prestigious festivals in Bulgaria and abroad; has played as soloist with a number of orchestras as well as chamber formations such as the AQUI Trombone Quartet, Radio Brass Quintet, the Iliya Nenov Academic Trombone Ensemble etc.

As a performer what Atanas Karafezliev has always endeavoured to do is present Bulgarian chamber music for brass instruments. The Bulgarian National Radio fund has preserved a number of recordings of premieres illustrating his partnership with Bulgarian composers:

“Yes, I enjoy performing Bulgarian works at concerts in this country and abroad,” he says. “I consider it the duty of every Bulgarian musician. The last time I performed a Bulgarian work was Velislav Zaimov’s Sonata for Trombone and Cello together with Georgita Boyadjieva. We performed it for the first time at the Festival of Bulgarian and American Music AmBul 2013. My own view of Bulgarian music has influenced my students as well and they too play works by Bulgarian composers. Last year my brass instruments chamber music class presented an entirely Bulgarian programme at an academic concert in Bulgaria Hall within the frameworks of the Young Musical Talents festival.

Together with his students Atanas Karafezliev is working on a concert programme which he will present in June, and the music is again by Bulgarian composers. “I have passed through different stages in my professional career, but I am now into chamber music more and more. That is why my concerts are mostly of chamber music,” says the trombone player.

English version: Milena Daynova

The audio features the following works:

-  Prelude for Alto Trombone by Handel, piano Philip Pavlov;

-  Vox Gabrieli Sonata for trombone and piano by Stjepan Sulek, performed by Atanas Karafezliev and Philip Pavlov;

-  Allegro from Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra, Part 3 by Dimitar Sagaev, performed by the BNR Symphony Orchestra, conductor Milen Nachev;

-  Fragment of Night by Petar Doundakov, performed by the BNR Symphony Orchestra, conductor Plamen Djourov, soloist Atanas Karafezliev. The recording is from the BNR Golden Fund.