“One has to carry this music in his heart, to feel it as his own, in order to be able to establish such formation,” Dimcho Rubchev says. “I can honestly say that this process is a long and complicated one – to transform a brass orchestra into a big band. The traditional music of Bulgarian brass orchestras has nothing to do with what is supposed to be presented in the repertoire of a real big band. We were the first brass orchestra that stepped on different rails. Other formations followed our example afterwards. The Municipal Brass Orchestra has existed for 50 years and has been a big band as of 7 – 8 years. We see as example the Bulgaria – Brass Association band of Angel Zaberski and of course, the Big Band of the BNR. We try and I think we reach their level. At each concert we try to present a different program, in order to keep the audience’s interest alive.”

Dimcho Rubchev has graduated with piano from the Prof. Veselin Stoyanov National Art School in Ruse and then from the Music Academy in Plovdiv – with piano and choir conducting. Alongside his studies he worked with the Iron Strings mixed choir in the town of Razgrad. Upon graduation he decided to get back to Ruse. Then by pure coincidence he came upon a newspaper ad, looking for a new conductor of the brass orchestra. He decided to face the challenge and change his professional path. Today he is happy to perform ‘his’ music, the one he carries inside. The orchestra and its conductor were awarded with the Crystal Lyre prestigious prize for their activities. A few days ago the band had a concert named Swinging Notes within the frameworks of the Love and Wine Art Salon, devoted to the golden age of swing and jazz and the music of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and others. More from Mr. Rubchev on the orchestra’s concert season:

“Our concert calendar is based mostly in Ruse. Usually we prepare six main programs for the season with best Bulgarian jazz musicians as guests. Traditionally we invite Angel Zaberski, Mihail Yosifov, Antoni Donchev, Venci Blagoev, Hilda Kazasyan… We are very happy with their really kind words and high appraisal of our orchestra’s professionalism. I see this as a high assessment which stimulates ongoing better work.”

English version: Zhivko Stanchev