Krassimira Stoyanova, Pavel Baleff and BNR present a new Mozart album

An exceptional event is expected on December 5 in Sofia’s “Bulgaria” Concert Hall. The world-renowned Bulgarian soprano Krasimira Stoyanova - Kammersängerin of the Vienna State Opera - will present, in concert form, her new album titled “Mozart - Stoyanova,” recorded together with the eminent Bulgarian conductor Pavel Baleff and the Symphony Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio(BNR).

Unlike her other releases, this CD is entirely a Bulgarian production and was recorded in partnership with the Bulgarian National Radio. At a press conference, maestro Baleff announced that, according to his research, this is the first solo album by a Bulgarian soprano featuring an entirely Mozart program. Until now such albums had been recorded by bass Nicola Ghiuselev, baritone Pavel Gerdzhikov and mezzo-soprano Alexandrina Milcheva.

Krasimira Stoyanova has expressed her gratitude to BNR for the partnership:

 “The leadership of the Bulgarian National Radio opened its doors wide to a project like this, because today, when the recording industry is once again in decline, we have the opportunity to create something like this - and exactly on the eve of Mozart’s anniversary year. We are at least one step ahead of everyone. Perhaps someone else has already made the same effort, but I dare say that we are far ahead. And as Pavel discovered one day - completely by accident - we chose December 5, the date of Mozart’s death! So there is nothing accidental about this album. What remains for us on December 5, but to sing, to create, to make music - for whom? For Mozart, because without Mozart - as cliché as it may sound - this world would not be the same.”

The album, recorded with the participation of Bulgarian violinist Svetlin Roussev, pianist Ludmil Angelov and tenor Hrisimir Damyanov, includes concert arias and excerpts from Mozart roles that Stoyanova has performed on stage. She began her singing career with this composer and the new album creates a kind of “frame” - returning to Mozart 30 years later.

“Everything I have wanted, everything I believed was suitable for my voice, I have sung - and I am happy,” the soprano says.

Conductor Pavel Baleff is extremely satisfied with his work with the BNR Symphony Orchestra during the recording sessions in July:

“It began as laboratory work. Mozart is jewelry art... The great thing is that I worked with the same ensemble throughout the entire week. I had the opportunity to build layer upon layer. This was maintained, which is rare, because musicians usually have the right to be replaced during recordings. But in this project, all the musicians remained dedicated until the very last day and worked cumulatively. For them it was a celebration - for us as well! You will hear that this recording has a sound that brings us, to some extent, closer to the established standards beyond Bulgaria.”

Pavel Baleff hopes that audiences and experts alike will appreciate the quality of the interpretations:

“We can present this CD abroad because Krasimira Stoyanova’s expression is well known. She can color every word and turn every note into a state of being, and together with the orchestra we follow her and build in a stylistic approach that is the most difficult to achieve.”

Read also:

• Pavel Baleff – the world-renowned conductor of Bulgarian premieres

English version: R. Petkova