Jazzy variations based on the opening motif from The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky

Nikolai Kapustin Variations Op. 41

Sonata No. 6, Op. 62

Sonata No. 5, Op. 53

Sonata No. 4 in F-sharp major, Op. 30 - II. Prestissimo volando

Sonata No. 4 in F-sharp major, Op. 30 - I. Andante

Sonata No. 3 in F-sharp minor, Op. 23 - IV. Presto con fuoco

Sonata No. 3 in F-sharp minor, Op. 23 - III. Andante

Sonata No. 3 in F-sharp minor, Op. 23 - II. Allegretto

Sonata No. 3 in F-sharp minor, Op. 23 - I. Drammatico

"Sonata-Fantasy" No. 2 in G-sharp minor, Op. 19 - II. Presto

"Sonata-Fantasy" No. 2 in G-sharp minor, Op. 19 - I. Andante

Sonata No. 1 in F-minor, Op. 6 - IV. Funebre

Sonata No. 1 in F-minor, Op. 6 - III. Presto

Sonata No. 1 in F-minor, Op. 6 - II. [Adagio]

Sonata No. 1 in F-minor, Op. 6 - I. Allegro con fuoco

Elina Christova | O. Messiaen - Quatre études de rythme 4

Elina Christova | Alexander Scriabin - Mazurka Op. 3 No. 6

Pianist Elina Christova performs Alexander Scriabin Sonata No. 8 Op. 66 live at Sofia Music Weeks Festival @ the National Palace of Culture May, 2014

Elina Christova | A. Scriabin Sonata No. 8 Op. 66

Elina Christova | p i a n o  plays Alexander Vladigerov's "Dilmano, Dilbero" variations based on a famous Bulgarian folk song

Alexander Vladigerov - Dilmano, Dilbero Variations Op. 2

Autumn Elegy is the second of Pancho Vladigerov's Three Pieces Op. 15. Although it succeeds the lively prelude in the collection, it was actually written first. This sad, nostalgic piece is connected to the tragic fate of the close friend and admirer of the composer, Dimitar Shishmanov. 

Shishmanov was a prominent Bulgarian lawyer, writer, and diplomat who served briefly as Foreign Minister of Bulgaria during WWII. After the war the new pro-Soviet regime issued a death sentence against him, which was carried out on February 1st, 1945. Vladigerov dedicated this piece to the memory of his departed friend.

Pancho Vladigerov - Autumn Elegy

Alexander Vladigerov was the son of Pancho Vladigerov (1899-1978), one of the most prominent Bulgarian composers of the Second Generation. Pancho had already successfully established ways to combine Bulgarian folk music with classical forms, a trend that was encouraged in composition during the Socialist regime. 

An accomplished conductor, composer and pianist, his son Alexander wrote stage and symphonic music and some notable pieces for the piano, among them the “Dilmano, Dilbero” Variations and the fiery Toccata, both influenced strongly by Bulgarian rhythmic and melodic traditions. Alexander Vladigerov's love of jazz, once considered a decadent Western influence in Bulgaria, shines through in both pieces, with sweeping improvisatory passages and liberal use of extended chords. 

In keeping with the genre, this toccata is extremely virtuosic, highlighting various keyboard techniques. Opening with an expansive introduction, the piece launches into the chordal theme which will reappear again in the coda. The hands exchange repeated and double notes, interspersed with exclamations typical of Bulgarian vocal folk music. In the middle of the piece arpeggios take over, calming the perpetual motion of the beginning and offering a lyric interlude. The coda begins with a return of the rhythmic drive from the opening, followed by a section featuring riffs derived straight from jazz. A clash of chords bring the piece to a close.

Alexander Vladigerov - Toccata

G. F. Handel - Suite No. 2 - Adagio

Johannes Brahms - Klavierstuecke Op. 76, No. 5

p i a n i s t
classical / contemporary / new music 

i n s t r u c t i o n 
all levels 

e d u c a t i o n
BM |  MM | DMA
manhattan school of music / sofia music academy / HKU utrechts conservatorium / universität für musik und darstellende kunst - wien


	

 				
 







elina christova

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