site.btaComposer and Conductor Konstantin Iliev's Centenary to Be Celebrated with Concert

Internationally acclaimed Bulgarian baritone Kiril Manolov will be the guest star at an upcoming concert of the National Philharmonic Choir, which will mark the birth centenary of Konstantin Iliev, one of the greatest Bulgarian composers who is also known for his work as a conductor. The concert will be held at Sofia's Bulgaria Hall on May 21 under the baton of Vladimir Kiradzhiev.

The night's programme includes Sedenkarski Pesni (Sit-in Songs) by Konstantin Iliev, O, Sacrum Convivium by Olivier Messiaen, and Spring: Cantata for baritone, chorus and orchestra, Op. 20, by Sergei Rachmaninoff, among other compositions.

Konstantin Iliev (1924-1988) graduated from the State Academy of Music in Sofia in 1946. He studied composition under Prof. Pancho Vladigerov, conducting under Prof. Marin Goleminov and violin under Prof. Vladimir Avramov. He finished specialty courses in conducting and composition at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.

Iliev worked as a conductor for the ballet company of the Sofia Opera House and chief conductor of the State Symphony Orchestra, the Ruse Opera and the Varna Symphony Orchestra. After 1956, he was (with some interruptions) conductor and chief conductor of the Sofia Philharmonic. He taught orchestra conducting at the Bulgarian State Conservatory (today's National Music Academy). As a conductor, he enjoyed recognition in many countries of Europe, the Americas and Asia and played a remarkable role in popularizing 20th century music. He made many recordings at Bulgarian National Radio, state-owned record company Balkanton and foreign radio stations.

As a composer, Iliev was a major figure on the Bulgarian avant-garde music scene. His works span many genres. He wrote cantatas and oratorios, six symphonies and other compositions for symphony orchestra, two operas and a ballet. He also created seven tempi concertati for various instrumental ensembles, four compositions for string quartet and one for brass quintet, songs, music for choirs of various formats and sound scores for film and theatre. He authored three books and many articles and studies.