Figures of Plovdiv

Figures of Plovdiv

Ivan Spassov (1934-1996)

Ivan Spassov (1934-1996)

1/1/2012 12:00:00 AM

Ivan Spassov (Jan. 17, 1934, Sofia, - Dec. 22, 1996, Plovdiv), composer, conductor, pedagogue...

Ivan Spassov graduated from the State Academy of Music in 1957, majoring in Composition under Professor Pancho Vladigerov and Choral Conducting under Professor Georgi Dimitrov. He specialised in composition with Kazimierz Sikorski and Stanislaw Wislocki at the Warsaw Conservatoire (1960-62). At his graduation concert, Spassov conducted the Warsaw Philharmonic premiering his First symphony.

Upon his return he was appointed symphony conductor. He founded the Plovdiv Chamber Orchestra and the Plovdiv Musical Youth Society. This gave him the opportunity to premiere works by Penderecki and other modern authors. In 1967 he took part in the summer courses for new music in Darmstadt, where in 1968 the Orchestra of Radio Frankfurt conducted by Gilen performed his Episodes for Four Timbral Groups.

From 1970 to 1991 he was Main Artistic Director of the Pazardzhik Symphony Orchestra, with which he toured and recorded in Bulgaria and abroad. From 1989 to the end of his life in 1996 he worked as professor and Rector of the Academy of Music and Dance Art in Plovdiv.

He lectured in the USA (1982, 1989, 1990). In 1989 he conducted the Symphony Orchestra of Garden Grove (Los Angeles) in New York, where he performed his work 20th Century Mankind, dedicated to the ONU, before the General Secretary of the ONU Xavier Perez de Cuellar. As a conductor, he also premiered a number of works by contemporary Bulgarian and foreign composers.

He was among the instigators and leading figures of the vanguard tendencies in modern Bulgarian music. He composed a mono opera and an opera (unfinished); 4 symphonies; 4 concertos; cantatas; orchestral, instrumental, vocal music; choral and solo songs; music scores to 50 theatre performances and 3 films, etc.

In his music the traditional Bulgarian melody and its rich ornamentation and rhythmical diversity are subject to individual rethinking by means of vanguard techniques such as aleatory, improvisation, etc. His choral songs are well established in the repertoire of the most eminent Bulgarian choral ensembles and are internationally acclaimed. His vocal-orchestral works from 1980s and 1990s are marked by a deeply felt spirituality.

His works were performed in a number of European countries, the USA, Japan and Australia. He recorded for Bulgarian and foreign radio stations and released his music on LP and CD.

Ruslan Raichev (05.05.1919-08.01.2006)
Maestro Raychev worked with Europe's key symphony orchestras including La Scala in Milan, Paris' National Opera and Lond...
Ivan St. Geshov (Plovdiv, 20.02.1849 - 11.03.1924)
Political figure, diplomat, cousin of the eminent public figure, Ivan...
Kiril Naydenov (1945 - 2004)
Kiril Naydenov (1945 - 2004)
1/1/2012 12:00:00 AM
Kiril Naidenov was born on 23.05.1945 in the village of Slaviani.
Yoakim Gruev (9.09.1828 - 01.08.1912)
Born in Koprivshtitsa, he studied in Plovdiv Greek School. Later he taught in the Class School of his native town of Koprivshtitsa, succeeding his teacher, Nayden Gerov on that position (1848-56)...
Dimiter Matevski (1835 - 1882)
Dimiter Matevski (1835 - 1882)
1/1/2012 12:00:00 AM
He participated in the national liberation movement. Persecuted by the Turks, he moved into Plovdiv. About the year 1868, he became teacher at the St.Trinity school. He was an active participant in...
Hristo Stoichkov (born 1966)
Hristo Stoichkov (born 1966)
1/1/2012 12:00:00 AM
The Bulgarian football star Hristo Stoichkov officially finished his football-playing career on December 15th, and from January 1st 2004 becomes the Barcelona coach. He will be training the team pl...
Stefka Kostadinova (born 25.03.1965)
Stefka Kostadinova is a famous BG athlete. She was born on March 25th, 1965 in Plovdiv. She has gradiated from the Plovdiv School of Sports, initially starting a career of gymnastics and swimm...
Konstantin Stoilov (1853-1901)
Konstantin Stoilov (1853-1901)
1/1/2012 12:00:00 AM
Dr. Stoilov was born on September 23rd, 1853, in Plovdiv, in the well-to-do patriotic family of Stoil Zakharliata. His mother comes fro the emi...
Gavril Krustevich (1817 - 1898)
Gavril Krustevich (1817 - 1898)
1/1/2012 12:00:00 AM
Gavril Krustevich (real name: Gandyu Krustev Baev) - born in the town of Kotel in 1817. Public figure and statesman; man of letters; Honorary member of Bulgarian Literary Society (later the Bulgari...
Ivan Kesyakov, Dr (1871-1965)
Ivan Kesyakov, Dr (1871-1965)
1/1/2012 12:00:00 AM
DR IVAN KESYAKOV was a public figure, leader of the Democratic party, Mayor of Plovdiv (1908-1912 and again 1921-22).  Born in 1871 in the town of Koprivshtitsa. He graduated Medicine f...