Role

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Composer

Birth

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1970 in Bourgas, Bulgaria

 

Atanas Ourkouzounov is a Bulgarian classical music composer, born on January 4, 1970, in Sofia, Bulgaria. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a composer and his mother a pianist. Ourkouzounov started playing the guitar at the age of six and began composing music at the age of 12. Ourkouzounov received his formal music education at the National Academy of Music in Sofia, where he studied composition with Professor Alexander Tanev. He also studied guitar with Professor Dimitar Doichinov and Professor Georgi Vassilev. After completing his studies, Ourkouzounov continued to develop his skills as a composer and guitarist, attending masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Leo Brouwer, Roland Dyens, and Alvaro Pierri. Ourkouzounov's music is characterized by its unique blend of Bulgarian folk music and classical music traditions. He has composed works for a variety of instruments, including guitar, piano, violin, and orchestra. His compositions have been performed by leading musicians and ensembles around the world, including the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra. One of Ourkouzounov's most famous works is his guitar concerto, "Horo," which was premiered in 2003 by the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra. The concerto is inspired by the Bulgarian folk dance of the same name and features virtuosic guitar passages and intricate orchestration. The piece has been performed by numerous guitarists, including Aniello Desiderio, Zoran Dukic, and Marcin Dylla. Another notable work by Ourkouzounov is his "Bulgarian Suite" for guitar, which was composed in 1998. The suite consists of five movements, each of which is based on a different Bulgarian folk dance. The piece has become a staple of the guitar repertoire and has been recorded by several prominent guitarists, including Pavel Steidl and Tatyana Ryzhkova. In addition to his compositions for guitar, Ourkouzounov has also written works for other instruments. His "Sonata for Violin and Piano" was premiered in 2007 by the Bulgarian violinist Svetlin Roussev and has since been performed by numerous other violinists. The piece is characterized by its lyrical melodies and intricate harmonies. Ourkouzounov's music has received numerous awards and accolades, including the "Golden Lyre" award from the Union of Bulgarian Composers and the "Andrés Segovia" award from the Spanish Embassy in Bulgaria. He has also served as a judge for several international guitar competitions, including the International Guitar Competition "Andrés Segovia" in Spain and the International Guitar Competition "Michele Pittaluga" in Italy. In addition to his work as a composer, Ourkouzounov is also a respected guitar teacher. He has taught at the National Academy of Music in Sofia and has given masterclasses around the world. His students have gone on to win numerous awards and competitions, including the International Guitar Competition "Andrés Segovia" and the International Guitar Competition "Michele Pittaluga." Overall, Atanas Ourkouzounov is a highly respected composer and guitarist who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His unique blend of Bulgarian folk music and classical music traditions has earned him a place among the most innovative and influential composers of his generation.

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