Tuesday 20 May 2008, Rialto Theatre, Lemesos, 20:30
Wednesday 21 May 2008, Strovolos Municipal Theatre, Lefkosia, 20:30
Family Cocnert: Saturday 24 May 208, Strovolos Municipal Theatre, Lefkosia, 17:00
Soloists: Krasen Penev (violin), Bogdan Postolache (violoncello)
Music Direction: Ivan Kojuharov
Programme:
J. Brahms: Double Concerto for violin and cello
Chr. Georgiades: Dionysian Dances
P. Vladigerov: Song from the Bulgarian Suite, Op. 21
F. Schubert: Symphony No. 6, D. 589 in C Major
In collaboration with the Bulgarian Embassy
Tickets available at the Theatres’ box office at €10 and at €5 for pensioners
Free entrance for students, soldiers, student card and EURO<26 card holders
Violinist Krasen Penev has distinguished himself both as a soloist and experienced concertmaster. From 1992 to 2004, he successfully led the Cairo Symphony over a large diverse symphonic repertoire as well as the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra in more soloistic and chamber works. While in Cairo, Krasen appeared as a soloist with the Symphony Orchestra and frequently performed other solo and chamber music recitals. In addition, he appeared as a soloist in his native country with the Burgas Philarmonic and the Sliven Symphony as well as in Holland, England and Italy. He has performed the violin concertos of Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Bruch, Brahms and Tchaikovsky in several Bulgarian cities.Krasen is a graduate of the Bulgarian National Academy of Music in Sofia where he studied under Prof. Petar Hristoskov, a well-known pedagogue, composer and concert performer. He followed up with specialized studies under the direct leadership of Prof. Elisaveta Kazakova. During his studies, Krasen worked as second associate concertmaster for the Sofia Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra. Krasen began his violin studies under the instruction of his parents, both professional musicians who gave him a solid start into the world of music. At the age of 9 he won the first prize of the “Svetoslav Obretenov” National Competition for Young Violinists in Provadia, Bulgaria. He was also a prize winner of other national competitions in Bulgaria and of the International Competition “Jan Kocian” in Czechoslovakia. In 1985 he graduated from the Burgas College of Music in his father’s class with high marks and silver medal. In addition to performing, Krasen Penev has devoted himself to teaching. While in Cairo, he taught violin at the British International School and the Modern English School. He is currently a member of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra and a teacher of young violinists of the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Bogdan Postolache was born in Romania in 1977 and at the age of 19 he entered the Music Academy in Bucharest. He continued his music studies at the Hochschule fur Musik und Theater in Bern and received his Master’s Degree in 2003. For seven consecutive years (1991- 1996) he was the 1st Prize winner of the National Music Competition for Young People. Also, in 1997 he won a Special Prize at the International “Jeunesses Musicales” Competition in Bucharest. Mr Postolache has performed both as a soloist and a chamber music musician. His appearances include concerts with the “George Enescu” Philharmonic, solo concerts with the Sibiu Philharmonic Orchestra and with the Moldavian National Orchestra Chisinau, concert tour in Germany with the “Justus Frantz and Friends” Quintet and chamber music concerts in Tohnhalle Zurich in Switzerland and Germany with different music ensembles. He has been invited as a substitute cellist in orchestras such as the Berner Symphonie Orchester, Orchester Gesselschaft Biel, and Orchestre de Chambre, Laussanne. Since 2000 he has been the principal cellist of the National Romanian Radio Orchestra Bucharest and a member of the “Bucharest Virtousses” Chamber Orchestra. At the same time, from 2001 – 2003 he collaborated with the Berner-Symphonie Orchester and the Orchester Gesselschaft Biel, Switzerland, and from 2005 – 2007 he was a member of the Philarmonie der Nationen, Germany.
Ivan Kojuharov was born in Triavna, Bulgaria. After graduating from the Russe CyYSO Academy and the Music Academy in Sofia, he continued his music studies at the N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in Saint Petersburg, Russia from where he graduated with Honours studying among others with Mariss Jansons. During his studies he conducted at the Conservatorie’s Opera-Studio and also at the Musicale Theatre in Saint Petersburg. In 1978 he became the Music Director of the Opera house of Burgas and in 1985 he became Principal Artistic Director of the Burgas State Philharmonic Orchestra. At present he is the Music Director of the Burgas Opera and Philharmonic Society. In 1980 Mr Kojuharov won second prize and the grand-prix of the Hungarian TV Competition in Memory of Bela Bartok, with Karajan as honourary President of the Jury. Thereafter, he was invited to participate in a film produced by the Hungarian TV, for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Bela Bartok. Since 1991 he conducts the New Chamber Ensemble and the “Camerata Classica” in Sofia. From 1999 to 2001, he was conductor at the State Opera House in Izmir, Turkey. Since 1997 he regularly conducts both Orchestras of the “D. D. Shostakovich” Saint Petersburg State Philharmonic. Since 2001 he conducts the Presidential Symphony Orchestra in Ankara and in 2005 he conducted the “Prima la Musica”- Orchestra in Aalst, Belgium. Mr Kojuharov has conducted more than 1300 concerts and opera performances with all the Bulgarian and Hungarian Philharmonic orchestras, the Sofia and Budapest National Opera, the Operas of Russe, Plovdiv, Varna, Pleven in Bulgarian in Bulgaria and Mersin, Turkey. He also conducted opera in Romania, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Germany, Yugoslavia, Russia, Estonia, Italy, Spain, France, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Cuba, Switzerland etc. His performances include more than 45 operas and around 640 pieces by 170 composers.
