Pancho Vladigerov Orchestral Works Bulgarian Masterpieces

It's hard to describe the role Pancho Vladigerov plays in Bulgarian classical music. Like Antonin Dvorak, Vladigerov took the music of his native land and brought it into the realm of classical music. 

Vladigerov's works tend to superficially follow standard classical forms, but the cadences, rhythms, and harmonies are all formed from Bulgarian folk elements. 

Vladigerov is quite simply the father of Bulgarian classical music. His music was well-known throughout Europe before World War II -- admired by both Richard Strauss and Dmitri Shostakovich. 

It's since lapsed into obscurity, which makes Capriccio's new reissues so exciting. In the early 1970s the composer, and his son Alexander Vladigerov, undertook a massive recording project to preserve his music. 

This release is discs 4 and 5 of what will eventually be an 18-CD reissue of those important recordings. 

This set features Vladigerov's Symphonies Nos. 1 and 2 from 1939 and 1949 respectively. This is the composer at his finest (outside of his piano concertos, IMHO). The first symphony is an exceptionally beautiful work, with full-bodied ensemble passages of heroic proportions. 

Also included are three of his smaller orchestral works, showing Vladigerov's facility with miniatures. 

The Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra is playing the music of their country's greatest composer -- music they know intimately. They're led by the composer's son, an accomplished conductor who also knows Vladigerov's music intimately. 

The sound quality is on par with 1970s recordings. The details are a little fuzzy, and there's an overall softness to the sound. 

But these performances are definitive. It's clear these musicians are playing with energy, commitment, and even national pride. 

This release -- and this series -- is not to be missed.   

Pancho Vladigerov: Orchestral Works, 1
Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra; Alexander Vladigerov, conductor
Capriccio C8050
2 CD Set