Lubomir Pipkov: Complete Piano Music, Volume One
Lubomir Pipkov (1904–74) was one of the leading members of the so-called ‘second generation’ of Bulgarian composers. In later life he became fascinated with the ancient heritage of Bulgarian folk-music, writing a series of what he called ‘metro-rhythmical studies’ – piano miniatures that combine melodic immediacy and rhythmic complexity, with a character that might be loosely characterised as sounding like ‘Prokofiev in the Balkans’.
Dobromir Tsenov, piano
Listen To This Recording:
- Ancient Dance, Op. 26
- No. 1 Game
- No. 2 Ancient Bulgarian Chorale
- No. 3 Chant
- No. 4 Dance
- No. 5 Half-Awake
- No. 6 Peasant Dance
- No. 7 Pastorale
- No. 8 Intermezzo
- No. 9 Moments fugitifs
- No. 10 Return
- No. 11 Étude
- No. 12 Bright and Dark
- No. 13 Two Rhythmic Variations
- No. 14 Instead of Goodbye
- No. 15 Burlesque
- No. 16 Rhythms
- No. 1 On the Rail Track
- No. 2 Autumn Fog
- No. 3 Complaint
- No. 4 Haidushka Mountain
- No. 5 Spring Whistles
- No. 6 Dragon Holes
- No. 7 Peasant Dance
- No. 8 Heavy Peasant Dance
- No. 9 Colourful Written Bagpipe Tune
- No. 10 Forest Conversation
- No. 11 Small Ballade
- No. 12 Bearman with Bear
- No. 13 Thought
- No. 14 Nostalgia
- No. 15 Recitative
- No. 16 Chorale
- No. 17 Village Celebration
- No. 18 Toccata
- No. 19 Novelette
Ancient Dance, Op. 26 (1946)*
Spring Caprices, Op. 78 (1971–72)
From 1 to 15, Op. 81 (1973)**
* FIRST RECORDING
** FIRST MODERN RECORDING
Classic Today :
‘For the 16 pieces comprising Spring Caprices, Pipkov mapped their metric structure according to a “Period Table of Metro-Rhythms”, yet you don’t have to know that to enjoy the music. The pieces are varied in character and tempo, abounding in melodic freshness and tangy harmonic twists, from the angular and energetic Intermezzo to the Chant’s touching austerity. One can say the same about From 1 to 15. By contrast, Ancient Dance features two boisterous outer sections bracketing a slower, more lyrical sequence.
Pianist Dobromir Tsenov imbues each and every selection with idiomatic perception, striking a natural balance between vocally informed and percussive phrases, and perfectly capturing the music’s divergent moods. The pianist’s extensive and scholarly notes further demonstrate his deep commitment to this repertoire. Well worth hearing.’
—Jed Distler, Classic Today
Gramophone :
‘Toccata Classics is performing a tremendous service to Bulgarian music in making [Pipkov’s] output more widely available. […] his work has its own distinctive lyricism as well as an unpredictable rhythmic vivaciousness. […]
Tsenov really has the measure of this music, and the recording is crystal-clear. ‘
—Ivan Moody, Gramophone
MusicWeb International :
‘Both [Spring Caprices and From 1 to 15] are delightful; any true fan of music from Eastern Europe will have cause to enjoy these joyful, energising little gems. […]
It is marvellous that the soloist here, Bulgarian pianist Dobromir Tsenov is currently in the UK completing a Master’s degree at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music. Hearing this disc, you can imagine he will surely sail through the course for he already has a Postgraduate Diploma (with Distinction) as well as a Bachelor’s Degree (with First-Class Honours) and has studied with some big names. He also writes the accompanying notes with true flair, making for a very readable and informative essay on this remarkable composer’s works. It is obviously a huge advantage when you are of the country when it comes to interpreting works of this nature which have such a grounding in a nation’s folk music. The attention to detail is paramount […]; thus we are treated to a truly great set of interpretations which fully comply with the huge demands on the pianist to accurately reflect all the nuances within this brilliant music.’
—Steve Arloff, MusicWeb International