PANCHO
VLADIGEROV (1899-1978)
Pancho Vladigerov entered the history of the Bulgarian school of composing soon after its formation and deserves well of being called its founder and grand master. His genius and the large scope of his works gave the Bulgarian music what the great musical nations prided in long before.
Usually history gives its final evaluation of the great composers' creation after their death. But Pancho Vladigerov had the lucky fate of winning recognition while still living, both in this country and far beyond her boundaries, as one of the most prominent figures of Bulgarian art.
The Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in B flat minor, Opus 31 (1937) is one of the heights in Vladigerov's career as a composer. It has established itself as one of the most representative and the most frequently performed piece of music in the genre both in Bulgaria and abroad. Its content is remarkable fïr the great significance and depth of the main idea and thoughts, realistic power and truthfulness of the feelings. The national spirit is not a mere external feature of the composition. It is the essence of the musical content. The melodics of the Concerto is extremely vivid and expressive. The emotional loftiness of the style never exceeds the limits of artistic taste and moderation. The musical construction is unerringly achieved. The clarity and simplicity of the content are inseparable form the crystal-clear and exquisite form, from the brilliance and the impressive virtuosity of the musical expression. Every tone in this piece of music is subjected ôï the laws of strict, yet refined simplicity.