Welcome to the homepage of
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Photos by Alp Klanten
Singing and (co)composing - VULNUS
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NEWS - Singing Title role in 'Michael's Jugend' and Michael in 'Invasion-Explosion' from
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Jimenez confusion
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Paradise Lost
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Improvs - GoedLaak Music Collective
Highlights - COMPOSING
Refracting Light recorded with
Hamburg Radio Choir
(NDR Vokalensemble)
After a successful premiere NDR Vokal Ensemble recorded the triptych 'Refracting Light' in Hamburg under the baton of Klaas Stok. The three days studio recording was followed by a second concert in Hanover - the video of the webcast is now available.
The piece is based on the visual metaphor that just as Light breaks into infinite colors and angles in a crystal clear prism, that is how Truth breaks in the prism (or prison?) of Words. The three movements show the process.
The 1st showing the pure Light, with a mezzo and baritone solo as Eve and Adam, on Biblical text (thus not containing human ‘opinion’).
The 2nd is the Light being trapped in the prism of Words: observing the DnA of the Word, with a soloist quartet being different characters telling the ‘Truth’ in their own way.
And the 3rd one containing the philosophical content of the piece, on my own text, representing the different angles and colors our opinions can have, and that the source of all problems is when we start uniting only with the ones who are thinking like ‘Us’ and not like ’Them’. The solution being everyone finding and being their own color, yet together we can be all angles and all colors, and together we can assume, what it is like, the pure, undivided Light
- on the other side of this crystal clear prism of Life’.
The piece is based on the visual metaphor that just as Light breaks into infinite colors and angles in a crystal clear prism, that is how Truth breaks in the prism (or prison?) of Words. The three movements show the process.
The 1st showing the pure Light, with a mezzo and baritone solo as Eve and Adam, on Biblical text (thus not containing human ‘opinion’).
The 2nd is the Light being trapped in the prism of Words: observing the DnA of the Word, with a soloist quartet being different characters telling the ‘Truth’ in their own way.
And the 3rd one containing the philosophical content of the piece, on my own text, representing the different angles and colors our opinions can have, and that the source of all problems is when we start uniting only with the ones who are thinking like ‘Us’ and not like ’Them’. The solution being everyone finding and being their own color, yet together we can be all angles and all colors, and together we can assume, what it is like, the pure, undivided Light
- on the other side of this crystal clear prism of Life’.
SONGS ON THE TRAPEZE
What happens when you ask a singer/composer to write a song-cycle around the movements of Prokofjev's concert quintet?
He takes the original story and expands it, adding texts of Arthur Rimbaud, (translates them to easiest modern language with help of Google translate),
shares a research about why the original Prokofjev piece is forbidden to be played in its original ballet form, gets a dancer who represents the choreographer, with whom Prokofjev had arguments, and with time, in the performance becomes Prokofjev himself. Only that in the end both him and the dancer, together with the amazing ensemble members, become part of the original story of the ballerina in the circus.
A surreal music-theatre show with dance, singing, original Prokofjev, new self-written songs and a self-made dramaturgy of a (musical) investigation.
Music, translation and conducting by Sztojanov.
He takes the original story and expands it, adding texts of Arthur Rimbaud, (translates them to easiest modern language with help of Google translate),
shares a research about why the original Prokofjev piece is forbidden to be played in its original ballet form, gets a dancer who represents the choreographer, with whom Prokofjev had arguments, and with time, in the performance becomes Prokofjev himself. Only that in the end both him and the dancer, together with the amazing ensemble members, become part of the original story of the ballerina in the circus.
A surreal music-theatre show with dance, singing, original Prokofjev, new self-written songs and a self-made dramaturgy of a (musical) investigation.
Music, translation and conducting by Sztojanov.
BUT - IS IT ALLOWED?
A mini oratorio made for
Radio Filharmonisch Orkest and
Groot Omroepkoor
After months without the option to make music together, on the first occasion that 30 people could come together, and record, Georgi had the honour to compose for the top ensembles of The Netherlands: The Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and the Radio Choir! Even in a small setup, in a big circle - safe distance from each other - the singers and musicians managed to express all the mixed feelings of the lockdown - uncertainty, frustration, and the 'polyphonic loss' - on the texts of Ewa Maria Wagner. Composed in only 2 weeks, rehearsed in a day and recorded in a day, it is a last-minute minute-made minioratorio.
Angelic Books in Meesters en Gezellen,
conducted by Daniel Reuss, a best-of
selection from 9 concerts all over Nl
With the new final movement, 'Playing Nationalities', Daniel Reuss conducts the young talented singers' choir on a tour around Holland. The selection of best recordings from 2018 is finally online!
FUGA - Mikrokozmosz
Sztojanov was chosen to be part of the prestigious project of FUGA center in Budapest to record his piece 'Collect for aid' from his Anglican Vespers, 'Evensong' (2010).
The series is focused to capture solo performers transform their listeners by interpreting very personal pieces. Orsolya Juhász, a very close friend of the composer shows her devotion to his musical style, as they have been making music together for nearly 20 years now.
The series is focused to capture solo performers transform their listeners by interpreting very personal pieces. Orsolya Juhász, a very close friend of the composer shows her devotion to his musical style, as they have been making music together for nearly 20 years now.
Beauty in isolation: Sleep, restore my
During the months of staying in and self isolate, finally there was more time to focus on the inside. Time slowed down, thoughts cleared up, the focus shifted.
What can one find in such sleep-like state of mind? The ambivalent relation to this forced calm also brought to life a beautiful project.
Francisca Branco's research on Händel ornaments brought Georgi to compose a new piece, based on 'Oh Sleep, why dost thou leave me?' from the opera Semele. Listen to the piece, recorded with Francisca, Leonid Nikishin on violin and the composer himself on organ. Beautiful video by René Geerlings.
Read the essay about the creation in the description of the video!
What can one find in such sleep-like state of mind? The ambivalent relation to this forced calm also brought to life a beautiful project.
Francisca Branco's research on Händel ornaments brought Georgi to compose a new piece, based on 'Oh Sleep, why dost thou leave me?' from the opera Semele. Listen to the piece, recorded with Francisca, Leonid Nikishin on violin and the composer himself on organ. Beautiful video by René Geerlings.
Read the essay about the creation in the description of the video!
In the middle of the sound...
of the Dutch Radio Choir!
In October 2019 Georgi had a commission to compose a short piece for six singers of the Groot Omroepkoor, The Netherland's Radio Choir.
The recording was made in 360degrees - you can enjoy it on VR glasses, or even enjoy it by being surrounded by the singers on your phone.
Headphones recommended - see how the sound changes according to where you look!
The recording was made in 360degrees - you can enjoy it on VR glasses, or even enjoy it by being surrounded by the singers on your phone.
Headphones recommended - see how the sound changes according to where you look!
The New VocalFederation6:
Six Things that are but One
The New VF6 (Vocal Federation6) has recorded a full album of Sztojanov's vocal ensemble works. Listen to the album on Soundcloud (click on the pic)
or watch the live recording session from The Hague Barthkapel (see below).
or watch the live recording session from The Hague Barthkapel (see below).
The New Vocal Federation Six is a vocal ensemble, focused on exquisitely extravagant modern music.
Its members put together their knowledge, skills and experience of different genres, being all masters of their voice, bringing their uniqueness to all blend in a colorful and exciting unity.
The group is recently (re)formed under the leadership of their tenor, Georgi Sztojanov, whose compositions are forming the debut program of this promising collaboration.
Its members put together their knowledge, skills and experience of different genres, being all masters of their voice, bringing their uniqueness to all blend in a colorful and exciting unity.
The group is recently (re)formed under the leadership of their tenor, Georgi Sztojanov, whose compositions are forming the debut program of this promising collaboration.
Half hour choral commemoration of
WW1 - 'War circles' premiered in Mechelen, on TENSO days
The commission piece for the 2014 TENSO Awards, written for the Zagreb Radio Choir and the local Musa Horti amateur choir was premiered in Lunalia Festival, 2018 in Mechelen as part of the TENSO days.
The piece is a commemoration of World War 1, and next to being dedicated to all that perished and suffered in it, it is also in memory of the Sztojanov's mother, who passed during the composing of the piece in April, 2018.
The piece is a commemoration of World War 1, and next to being dedicated to all that perished and suffered in it, it is also in memory of the Sztojanov's mother, who passed during the composing of the piece in April, 2018.
Listen here to an excerpt of the cycle, 'Nunc dimittis', written in the memory of Miglena Boeva, the mother of Sztojanov.
You can listen to the whole cycle here:
Sometimes - a piece for the
Nederlands Studenten Kamerkoor
Sent out of Eden, a choir falls apart to its individuals, who feel 'like a motherless child'. The Goddess Maya (Mezzosoprano solo) reminds them of the illusion of separation (while a sensual reading near the eras of the audience introduces us to Maya - from Wikipedia of course) and they all unite in a beautiful text by Rumi.
A 20 minutes spiritual journey, sung by the fantastic Leonie van Rheden, the most enthusiast young choir, NSK under the ever joyful leadership of Beni Csillag.
A 20 minutes spiritual journey, sung by the fantastic Leonie van Rheden, the most enthusiast young choir, NSK under the ever joyful leadership of Beni Csillag.
Listen to the full concert, or the piece here (from 46:00 - 1:06:00)
https://vimeo.com/334395013/18e1815f28
Premiere of Georgi's new piece,
'Angelis Books' at TENSO days, by
Cappella Amsterdam
Soon to be heard on audio recording!
Sztojanov receives the TENSO YOUNG COMPOSERS AWARD 2014
Very interesting experiments
According to the jury, Sztojanov “brought very interesting experiments to the workshops” and “[i]t is clear that he feels completely at ease with the natural flow of the language, and his settings of postcard scribbles are poignant and effective.” What’s more, the jury points out that “while the jury cheers the fact that he gives the performers and the performability of his music prime position, they still want to encourage him to cross boundaries and not to be afraid to challenge the singers.”
According to the jury, Sztojanov “brought very interesting experiments to the workshops” and “[i]t is clear that he feels completely at ease with the natural flow of the language, and his settings of postcard scribbles are poignant and effective.” What’s more, the jury points out that “while the jury cheers the fact that he gives the performers and the performability of his music prime position, they still want to encourage him to cross boundaries and not to be afraid to challenge the singers.”
Young composer Georgi Sztojanov (BG/HU, 1985) has been awarded the 2014 Tenso Young Composers Award.
Together with Francesca Le Lohé (UK, 1990) and Nuno Da Rocha (PT, 1986), he made it to the second round of the Tenso Young Composers Workshop 2014 which took place in Copenhagen on 27 and 28 November. At the workshop, the young composers worked with DR Vokalensemblet and workshop leaders James Wood (UK) and Hans Koolmees (NL). For winning the Tenso Young Composers Award 2014, Sztojanov will receive a commission for a piece for chamber choir, which will be performed by Tenso members.
Together with Francesca Le Lohé (UK, 1990) and Nuno Da Rocha (PT, 1986), he made it to the second round of the Tenso Young Composers Workshop 2014 which took place in Copenhagen on 27 and 28 November. At the workshop, the young composers worked with DR Vokalensemblet and workshop leaders James Wood (UK) and Hans Koolmees (NL). For winning the Tenso Young Composers Award 2014, Sztojanov will receive a commission for a piece for chamber choir, which will be performed by Tenso members.
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SINKING - a one act opera for the Dutch National Opera Academy
In January, 2013 Sztojanov had the premiere of his opera, 'Sinking',
especially written and performed by the Dutch National Opera Academy.
The story observes 5 existing people's reactions in an imaginary train, going to un unknown destination (as symbol of humanity's faith) in the fear that the end is near.
The libretto was created by the composer asking 5 people (including himself) to take part in an experimental way of creating text together through a Role Play Game, played through emails. In this virtual world - prepared by Georgi - the characters have to react as themselves, adding a documentary taste to the plot.
For more, click here: SINKING
especially written and performed by the Dutch National Opera Academy.
The story observes 5 existing people's reactions in an imaginary train, going to un unknown destination (as symbol of humanity's faith) in the fear that the end is near.
The libretto was created by the composer asking 5 people (including himself) to take part in an experimental way of creating text together through a Role Play Game, played through emails. In this virtual world - prepared by Georgi - the characters have to react as themselves, adding a documentary taste to the plot.
For more, click here: SINKING
Dialogues from my head- mini opera for two
The recording from our premier with Orsolya Juhasz and the composer singing the tenor role
in the second concert of the GoedLaak music collective, 'Big Mouth strikes again' in 2013 december!
Read more about the piece here!
Performances of Georgi's pieces
'Une Pierre' for soprano and vibraphone
- a song for Sara Moreira Marques and Renato Penêda
Written in 2013 originally for piano and voice -
A year later Georgi composed a new version with vibraphone.
Proud of the duo which performs this song so delicate and powerful.
Hope to hear many more performances by them.
- a song for Sara Moreira Marques and Renato Penêda
Written in 2013 originally for piano and voice -
A year later Georgi composed a new version with vibraphone.
Proud of the duo which performs this song so delicate and powerful.
Hope to hear many more performances by them.
