Krassimir Kjurkchiyski Variations Polegnala e Todora

Krassimir Kyurkchiysky (1936 - 2011) - Todora Lay Down For a While (Polegnala e Todora), piano variations in irregular rhythm 11/16. Krassimir Kyurkchiyski graduated from the State Academy of Music in 1962 majoring in Composition under Professor Pancho Vladigerov. He specialised at the Moscow Conservatoire with Dmitri Shostakovich. He worked as a conductor at the Ensemble for Traditional Song and Dance (the present-day Philip Koutev National Folklore Ensemble) and at the ensemble for traditional song at the Television and Radio Committee. At present he works as a freelancer and lives in Bojentzi [Bozhentsi], district of Gabrovo. He composed two operas and a ballet; vocal-instrumental works; orchestral and chamber music; choral songs; instrumental pieces; film music. He arranged folksongs, too. In 1966 he won the Grand Prix of the Paris Music Weeks Composition Competition. Very popular are his works for symphony orchestra such as Diaphonic Study, Concerto for orchestra, Variation on a theme by Haendel, Adagio and Aria for string orchestra, Piano Concerto №1. He made a name for himself as innovative folksong arrangement writer, too. His folksong arrangements are now part of the repertoire of Bulgarian and foreign performers. His works were performed in Italy, France, Russia, Germany, Australia and other countries. This recording is from live concert of Bulgarian pianist Veselinka Ivanova in Dartmouth College, NH on 25 February 2004