Our concert programme

Our concert programme is packed with many fantastic music pieces. It will feature
works written by some of the most celebrated Bulgarian composers from the past such as:

- Pancho Vladigerov
- Marin Goleminov
- Parashkev Hadjiev

We will be celebrating the 20th Anniversaries of two of the most renowned string quartets
in the UK and USA respectively - The Bridge Quartet and The Forte String Quartet, as well
as celebrating the 10th Anniversary of London Bulgarian Choir!

In addition, we will be presenting a number of World and UK premieres written
by a few of the most fascinating composers of our time such as:

- Martin Georgiev
- John Howard
- Gwyn Pritchard
- Dobrinka Tabakova

World premieres

Martin Georgiev - Work for a string quartet featuring Mr Georgiev's
particular music system called "Morphing Modality"

“Morphing Modality” is Martin Georgiev’s original approach to pitch organisation which
is central to his PhD research at the Royal Academy of Music, London. The method is constructed upon specific features of Bulgarian-Orthodox and Byzantine Chant.This chanting tradition exhibits a unique approach to modality and music theory, distinctly different from both the Antic modal system and the Western modality which has been developed on its basis.

Furthermore Martin Georgiev develops this resource into a new discourse to modality, which is both sophisticated and communicative, fusing Eastern and Western, ancient and modern strands into a new amalgamation. The success of the method was demonstrated by Georgiev’s first Chamber Opera, The Mirror, which was premiered in London in June 2009 under the patronage of Lady Solti, Sir Charles Mackerras and Andrew Ritchie CBE.

John Howard - Work for violin/viola and string quartet

Mr Howard's new work features a soloist who begins the work playing viola, and changes to violin at about the halfway point. The working title is "From Darkness to Light", Concertino for Violin/Viola and String Quartet, and the work will be in one continuous movement. It will also be Mr. Howard's String Quartet No. 3.

The musical material will include folk song material from Bulgaria and other
Eastern European sources.

UK premieres

Dobrinka Tabakova - Dawn-Day from Sun Triptych

Dawn is the first of three pieces making up the triptych Dawn-Day-Dusk.
Itrepresents sunrise with low, rich chords in the orchestra, which ascend
throughout the pieces with decorated solos which lead the progress. Day then
takes over, with insects buzzing in sun drenched meadows, reflected in the
textures of the orchestra and soaring solos like bird song.

The work is written for Gidon Kremer, Kristine Blaumane and Kremerata Baltica in
celebration of the orchestra’s 10th anniversary and Gidon Kremer’s 60th
birthday.

Gwyn Pritchard - a work for soprano, violin, and string orchestra

This work is commissioned by the LFBC and will be premiered as part of the celebrations of the "Day of Sofia", on the 16th of September 2010 at the Bulgarian National Hall in Sofia. The work is dedicated to Sofia Soloists and Stankov Ensemble which will be performing it together.