September 19, 2024 /Thursday/
18.30 hours Hall “M-Ro G.Atanasov”
Conductor: Sun Lei
Soloist: Borislav Yasenov – flute
Program:
W. A. Mozart – The Magic Flute Overture
Fr. Devien – Concerto No. 7 for flute and orchestra in E minor
L. van Beethoven – Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 36
∗∗∗
Sun Lei
Graduated from Shenyang Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree in choral and orchestral conducting from the National Conservatory of Music of China and the California
Conservatory (California Baptist University in the U.S.). He received his Doctor of Education and Doctor of Science degree in choral and orchestral conducting from Bangkok Thonburi University in Thailand. In 2010, in the role of chief organizer, he implemented the initiative „Quayla Khachan“ – lit. „Merry Chorus“.
With the help of his students from the Department of Choral Conducting and the Faculty of Vocal Performance, the aim is to improve the musical culture in educational institutions and the community, especially covering primary and secondary schools in Shenyang. Through the initiative, about 300 choral groups and formations have been established and over 200 lessons have been conducted by volunteers. The initiative enjoys tremendous community support and is achieving great results. As a professor of choral and orchestral conducting at Shenyang University, he has contributed to winning more than 30 gold and silver medals in various competitions in which students participate. Over the past five years, as a member of a research group and project leader, he has actively participated in and successfully completed two projects of national significance and three projects at the local provincial level, as well as earning the nickname of „Specially Excellent National Project Leader“. Last but not least, he has repeatedly participated as a jury in choral singing competitions at home and abroad. He works as an advisor in expert groups for personnel education at the Ministry of Education. In the past five years, as the current director of Liaoning Provincial Choral Singing Association, he has successfully planned and organized a large number of public activities. He is currently working as an associate professor in conducting at Shenyang Conservatory of Music in Shenyang, Liaoning Province.
He is Executive Director of the Association for Choral Singing and a Director of the Musicians’ Union. He is also Chairman of the Liaoning Provincial Choral Singing Association. He is the executive director and artistic director of the Children’s Choir of the Radio and Television of Shenyang.
Borislav Yasenov
Borislav Yasenov is a Bulgarian flute soloist, composer and pedagogue. He is active in the field of classical music and jazz. He is a soloist of symphony and chamber orchestras in the performance of concertos for flute and orchestra by J. Ibert, K. Reineke, W. А. Mozart, K. Ф. Е. Bach, A. Vivaldi, etc. He is a guest soloist of emblematic jazz ensembles and participates in various chamber ensembles. He plays with renowned musicians in both spheres. He has given concerts and master classes in Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece, North Macedonia and Turkey.
Thematic concerts presented at home and abroad with outstanding success:
– „Flute Protuberances“ (2019);
– „From the Flute Music of Germany“ and „Latin American Nuances“ (2018);
– „The Spirit of the Flute“ (2017);
– „French Fantasy“ (2016);
– „Contrasts“, contemporary Bulgarian music (2015);
– „Universal and National in Baroque Music“ and „Baroque and Jazz“ (2013);
– „The Flute in the Works of Johann Sebastian Bach“ (2012), etc.
Capriccio for flute and piano by Yordan Dafov, Sonata for flute and piano by Lucas Jaramillo, Sonata for flute and piano by Svetoslav Karagenov, dedicated to the duo B. Yasenov and V. Karagenova, etc. He has given numerous concerts at a number of arts and jazz festivals at home and abroad: With classical music: International Festival „Autumn Music Festivals“ (Skopje), International Festival „Joaquin Rodrigo“, Festival Days of Arts „Spring in the Old Town“ (Plovdiv), Musical Holidays „Petko Stainov“ and „Chudomir’s Holidays“ (Kazanlak), „New Bulgarian Music“ (Sofia) and others; Art festivals – Apollonia (Sozopol), The White Swallow (Balchik), The Golden Diana (Yambol), etc.; International Jazz Festivals – „Varna Summer“, Bansko Jazz Fest, „Plovdiv Jazz Evenings“, Ruse, Bankya, Haskovo Jazz Fest, as well as the „Frucade“ Jazz Fest (Kazanlak), „Winter Jazz Fest“ (Plovdiv), etc. He has realized projects on stage, in recording studios, in BNT and BNR. He writes music and arrangements for various formations. He has released four original jazz albums on Riva Sound Records Ltd:
– „Mo’ di’ log“ – 1995;
– „Crazy World“ – 1998;
– „Where…“ – 2004;
– „Back in the Game“ – 2024.
His compositions are included in various compilations – „Essential jazz from Bulgaria“ – CD (Millennium) – 2000 and compilation CDs from jazz festivals.
In 1996 he participated in a charity concert – „Milcho Leviev and Friends“, later released as „Tsar’s Step“ – CD.
In 2002 he recorded a CD „Baroque and Contemporary“ with guitar duo Valchevi.
In 2006 he participated in a project of the American jazz drummer Jim Sheperow, together with the legendary saxophonist Ornette Coleman.
He is the artistic director of Frucade Jazz Fest (Kazanlak), Winter Jazz Fest (Plovdiv).
Prof. Dr. Borislav Yasenov works at the AMTII „Prof. Flute (classical; pop and jazz), Theory and Improvisation, etc.
Teaching interests are: Stylistics and interpretation of works for flute in classical music (baroque, classical, romantic, contemporary) and jazz. Improvisation and sound interpretation. Methodological and applied aspects of flute performance.
Author of:
– the dissertation „On Some Aspects of Flute Performance Art in Baroque and Jazz“ – Sofia, 2013;
– Book (monograph) „Flute Art and Culture from the Middle of the 17th Century to the 1930s“, published by Astarta – Plovdiv, 2017;
– „Jazz pieces for flute and formations“, collection of original works by B. Yasenov, Astarta Publishing House – Plovdiv, 2016;
– numerous scientific publications related to flute performance art in classical music and jazz.
∗∗∗
September 30, 2024 /Monday/
18.30 hours Hall “M-Ro G.Atanasov”
Conductor: Nikola Petrov
Soloists:
Kyoko Sakai
Koji Okazaki
Etsuko Okazaki
Program:
L. van Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
Carl Maria von Weber – Bassoon Concerto in F major, Op.75
Fr. Chopin – Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
∗∗∗
Nikola Petrov
Nikola Petrov is a well-known Conductor, Score Supervisor, Percussionist and Singer. He has graduated the National Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria with Percussion instruments, Choral Conducting, Opera-Symphonic Conducting and Symphonic Orchestration and has performed on tours around the world in Europe, USA, Canada, China, OAE etc. Since 2018 Nikola Petrov is Conductor of Vratsa Symphony Orchestra. He has more than 15 years of experience in Studio recordings and nowadays works as Conductor and Score Supervisor of FSAE, Strezov Sampling, Sofia Session Orchestra and choir, 44 music.