site.btaClassical Music Requires Audience's Knowledge, Says Composer Emil Tabakov

It is the musicians' duty to show the audience which work is valuable, conductor and composer Emil Tabakov said in an interview with BTA here. He is among the participants in the 63rd edition of the March Music Days International Festival, which is underway in Ruse until March 31.

According to Tabakov, classical music is an art that has been and continues to be elitist, which he says is a good thing. In his words, elitist art is more elevated, more refined. "It requires a lot more knowledge on the part of the audience, which can be accumulated with a lot of listening to different performances. It takes time, and it is our duty, as musicians, to show the audience what is valuable," Tabakov said.

He noted that when musicians gain more knowledge, their reading of a piece also develops. "A musician learns much more about music after many things have already passed through their mind. There are always some changes in interpretation. When a musician is young, they think they can do everything, but they have no idea what is possible and what is not," said Tabakov. According to him, there is no improvisation in classical music, as there is for example in jazz. "Improvisation in classical music is more a matter of different interpretations of a musical text than of improvisation. The musical text cannot be changed in classical music", Tabakov noted.

A quality musical instrument is of great importance for the performance of a work, he added. "With a good instrument, a better sound is presented, which is the reason why it costs much more. It takes a lot of effort to get a good sound with a bad instrument", he said. He also noted that the instrument does not play itself, so naturally the musician is also very important. "But a nice instrument makes sound reproduction easier and gives much more pleasure," said Tabakov. 

According to Tabakov, in order for a festival to be successful and maintain a high level for decades, it is necessary to have a program with works that are not performed year-round in one city. "Works are chosen that are rarely performed. They are called festival works. These are larger, more difficult pieces that actually require much better compositions and more serious preparation. I think that the Festival in Ruse manages to keep a strong program," he said.

The world premiere of the ballet performance Calliope will take place on March 25 at the festival in Ruse. Emil Tabakov is the author of the music, who will also conduct the orchestra of the Ruse Opera.