Today we mark the 115th anniversary of the birth of Marin Goleminov, known as one of the biggest Bulgarian composers. Academician Marin Goleminov was born in the town of Kyustendil (Southwestern Bulgaria) in 1908. He studied at the National Academy of Music in Sofia. Later, he continued his music education in Paris, where he studied composition in the classes of Vincent d'Indy, Paul Ducas and Guy de Lioncourt. Goleminov wrote operas, ballets, symphonic and chamber pieces that are part of the treasury of the Bulgarian music culture. His works were strongly influenced by Bulgarian folklore. They won numerous music awards and are performed all over the world.

"Marin Goleminov is that outstanding figure in Bulgarian music that affirmed the place of chamber music, Professor Natasha Yapova from the National Academy of Music said for Radio Bulgaria. – This type of music focuses on the sound; it is music for listening and for music making. It comes from the tradition of performing in palaces, where aristocrats gathered to lead a kind of conversation through chamber music. There was no such tradition in Bulgaria for certain reasons. Just six decades after Bulgaria became an independent state, Marin Goleminov affirmed the place of chamber music in Bulgarian culture through his works. Studying music in Sofia and Paris, he composed a number of pieces. But it was not until 1934 that he wrote Opus No. 1 for his First String Quartet, a sign that this was his own creative beginning. At the end of his life Marin Goleminov lived in Portugal with the family of his eldest son Kamen. He passed away in 2000. On September 28, Marin Goleminov's birthday, in his hometown of Kyustendil, an award is traditionally presented in his name. The event is organized by the Municipality of Kyustendil, Marin Goleminov Music Association and heirs of the renowned Bulgarian composer."

Next, listen to "A Village Feast" from Marin Goleminov's suite "Nestinarka", performed by the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra - conductor Kamen Goleminov: