Iliev, Konstantin

Iliev, Konstantin, Bulgarian conductor, teacher, and composer; b. Sofia, March 9, 1924; d. there, March 6, 1988. He studied composition with Khadzhiev and Vladigerov, and conducting with Goleminov, at the Bulgarian State Cons. in Sofia (1942–46); later took courses in composition with Řídký and A. Hába, and in conducting with Talich, at the Prague Cons. (1946–47). He conducted atthe Sofia Opera (1948–49); after serving as chief conductor of the Ruse Opera and Sym. Orch. (1949–52), and then of the Varna Sym. Orch. (1952–56), he was principal conductor of the Sofia Phil. (1956–85). From 1964 to 1985 he was on the faculty of the Bulgarian State Cons. in Sofia. As a composer, he evolved a rather stimulating idiom, adroitly exploring the asymmetric Balkan rhythms and oriental melismas to create an aura of folkloric authenticity; in non-ethnic pieces he often applied serial principles of melodic formations.

Works

dramatic: Opera: The Master of Boyana (Sofia, Oct. 3, 1962); The Kingdom of the Deer (1975). ORCH.: 5 syms. (1947, 1951, 1954, 1958, 1959); Concerto grosso for Strings, Piano, and Percussion (1949); Symphonic Variations (1951); Tempi concertanti I for Strings (1967) and II for Flute, Harpsichord, and 12 Instruments (1969); Violin Concerto (1971). CHAMBER: 4 string quartets (1949, 1952, 1953, 1956); Piano Trio (1976); 7 Bagatelles for Clarinet and Cello (1987). VOCAL: Eulogy to Constantin the Philosopher, oratorio (1971); choruses.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire