Krasimir Kyurkchiyski(1936-2011)

Krasimir Tzvetanov Kyurkchiyski is a prominent Bulgarian composer and conductor . He was born on June 22, 1936 in Troyan, Bulgaria . He graduated from the National Music Academy , where he graduated "Composition" in the class of Professor Pancho Vladigerov . Later he has specialized in Moscow Conservatory in the class of Dmitri Shostakovich . He worked as a conductor of the "Philip Koutev" State Folk Ensemble's orchestra and then as a conductor of the Choir at Ensemble for Folk Songs of the Bulgarian National Radio , known later as " The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices ". His songs "Kalimanku, Denku", "Chick Singing", "Confession", "A lamb baaed", "Mesechinko, le" are included in Marcel Cellier's series of "The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices" received the award "Grammy". He composed two operas and ballet; vocals and instrumentals works; orchestral and chamber music; choral songs; instrumental pieces, folk-song; film music and more. He is a winner of the Grand Prize of Composition "Paris Music Weeks" (1966). His works for symphony orchestra "Diaphonic Study", Concerto for Orchestra, Variations on a Theme by Handel, and Aria Adagio for String Orchestra, Concert 1 for Piano are in the repertoire of many orchestras. His name is associated with a new approach in the treatment of folk songs gained popularity in the repertoire of Bulgarian and foreign artists. His works are performed in Italy, France, Russia, Germany, Australia and many other countries. Krasimir Kyurkchiyski is among the most frequently performed Bulgarian composers abroad. He was awarded with many government awards, diplomas and prizes. The last years of his life Krasimir Kyurkchiyski lived and worked in the village Bozhentzi, Bulgaria. He died on December 15, 2011.