GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => Composer Discussion => Topic started by: Mirror Image on April 17, 2017, 06:40:49 PM

Title: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 17, 2017, 06:40:49 PM
(http://www.dobrinka.com/press/LargePhotos/DobrinkaTabakova_2.jpg)

Dobrinka Tabakova is a composer of 'exciting, deeply moving' music (Washington Times), with 'glowing tonal harmonies and grand, sweeping gestures [which] convey a huge emotional depth' (The Strad). She has been commissioned by the Royal Philharmonic Society, BBC Radio 3 and Britten Sinfonia. Her debut profile album 'String Paths', on ECM Records, was nominated for a Grammy in 2014. In 2017 she becomes composer-in-residence with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

The music of Dobrinka Tabakova has featured in films (Jean-Luc Godard's 'Adieu au langage'), dance (Sydney Dance Company/ Rafael Bonachela 'Anima') as well as international music festivals including Schleswig-Holstein, Moscow Homecoming, Three Choirs, UK and Dark Music Days, Iceland. Creative programmers like violist/conductor Maxim Rysanov, Amsterdam Sinfonietta, violinists Gidon Kremer and Janine Jansen as well as Irish DJ John Kelly, Orchestra of the Swan and Sorel Organization have all championed her music over the past decade.

Among prizes for her work are the Jean-Frédéric Perrenoud prize and medal at the 4th Vienna International Music Competition; the prize for an anthem for the Queen's Golden Jubilee, performed at St Paul's Cathedral, the GSMD Lutoslawski Composition Prize and the Adam Prize of King's College London. Her 'Fantasie Homage to Schubert', nominated by the Bulgarian National Radio, was selected at the 2014 International Rostrum of Composers in Helsinki. In 2011 she was awarded first prize and the Sorel Medallion in Choral Composition, New York.

Recent projects include 'Immortal Shakespeare'- a cantata for the Shakespeare 400 anniversary in 2016, bringing together rare J.M.W. Turner sketches of a trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and Shakespeare's timeless words; also 'The High Line' for orchestra inspired by New York's park in the sky and the UK New Music Biennial film collaboration 'PULSE'.

Forthcoming highlights include a long-term residency with Truro Cathedral, making her the first female composer to be commissioned by the cathedral, two portrait concerts in 2017- in Bristol and Antwerp and a residency with the Leipzig MDR Orchestra for the 2017/18 season.

Dobrinka Tabakova was born in the historic town of Plovdiv, Bulgaria in 1980 and for the past 25 years has lived in London. She graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and holds a PhD in composition from King's College, London.

[Article taken from composer's website]

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I'm eagerly awaiting a follow-up to her ECM debut, String Paths. What is taking so long Manfred Eicher? >:( Anyway, I'm absolutely in love with her Cello Concerto. It really has everything I could want in music (insert a thousand complimentary adjectives here). I know Greg (Monkey Greg) is a fan of hers, anyone else?
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: vandermolen on April 19, 2017, 10:02:10 AM
I shall look forward to discovering her music.  :)
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Cato on April 19, 2017, 03:41:31 PM
Here is the Cello Concerto on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/v/aq4PCg69DeU&index=6&list=PLoXDKTk1ZwhP92coCS9HSmhUaQMSkXxGb
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 19, 2017, 03:58:21 PM
Quote from: Cato on April 19, 2017, 03:41:31 PM
Here is the Cello Concerto on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/v/aq4PCg69DeU&index=6&list=PLoXDKTk1ZwhP92coCS9HSmhUaQMSkXxGb

Thanks for posting, Cato. Did the same group post the 2nd movement on YouTube?
And bad column placement  ;D
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Cato on April 19, 2017, 04:06:46 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 19, 2017, 03:58:21 PM
Thanks for posting, Cato. Did the same group post the 2nd movement on YouTube?
And bad column placement  ;D

Yes, check the right side of YouTube for the links!
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 19, 2017, 07:02:10 PM
It's about time the Tabakova thread got some traffic! ;) Anyway, I'd have a hard time tearing myself away from that ECM recording of the Cello Concerto to listen to any other performance. This is one instance where I feel nothing could be added to what cellist Kristina Blaumane achieved with Maxim Rysanov conducting the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra. I mean that performance really has it all.
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 20, 2017, 02:21:34 AM
Quote from: Cato on April 19, 2017, 04:06:46 PM
Yes, check the right side of YouTube for the links!

Thank you! Sorry, I was looking from my phone and I don't navigate through that version of YouTube as well as on my computer.
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: vandermolen on April 20, 2017, 12:14:27 PM
Here is the relevant CD. The Cello Concerto is indeed very beautiful. It reminded me a bit of John Tavener's 'The Protecting Veil' and also the central movement of Tippet's Concerto for Double String Orchestra, although written in a more modern idiom.
[asin]B00AWXZA0K[/asin]
Or rather here it's not. I'll try and get the picture to show in a minute.  ::)

Ok - it's there now.  0:)
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 20, 2017, 12:45:52 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 20, 2017, 12:14:27 PM
Here is the relevant CD. The Cello Concerto is indeed very beautiful. It reminded me a bit of John Tavener's 'The Protecting Veil' and also the central movement of Tippet's Concerto for Double String Orchestra, although written in a more modern idiom.
[asin]B00AWXZA0K[/asin]
Or rather here it's not. I'll try and get the picture to show in a minute.  ::)

Ok - it's there now.  0:)

The entire album is great. Highly recommended! 
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Rinaldo on April 20, 2017, 02:48:47 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on April 20, 2017, 12:14:27 PM[asin]B00AWXZA0K[/asin]
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 20, 2017, 12:45:52 PM
The entire album is great. Highly recommended!

+1, instant favourite.
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 21, 2017, 05:21:53 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on April 19, 2017, 03:58:21 PM
Thanks for posting, Cato. Did the same group post the 2nd movement on YouTube?
And bad column placement  ;D

No, they didn't or I couldn't find it.
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Cato on April 21, 2017, 06:15:17 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 21, 2017, 05:21:53 AM
No, they didn't or I couldn't find it.

https://www.youtube.com/v/aQRRrWEY1OE
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 21, 2017, 06:16:08 AM
Quote from: Cato on April 21, 2017, 06:15:17 AM
https://www.youtube.com/v/aQRRrWEY1OE

That's not the same performance from that particular group, Cato. This linked video is from the ECM recording String Paths with cellist Kristina Blaumane and Maxim Rysanov conducting the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra.
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Cato on April 21, 2017, 06:18:45 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on April 21, 2017, 06:16:08 AM
That's not the same performance from that particular group, Cato. This linked video is from the ECM recording String Paths with cellist Kristina Blaumane and Maxim Rysanov conducting the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra.

Yes, but at least it is the second movement.   A hybrid, as a result!  0:)
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Mirror Image on April 21, 2017, 06:30:33 AM
Quote from: Cato on April 21, 2017, 06:18:45 AM
Yes, but at least it is the second movement.   A hybrid, as a result!  0:)

Well, yes, but that's not what Greg was asking as both he and I own the String Paths recording.
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on April 21, 2017, 06:39:23 AM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk2x3ZEsnh0

I see music from this album was used in Godard's 2014 film Adieu au langage, I haven't seen the film (yet) and am wondering if that's Tabakova's Suite in Old Style in the trailer. Anyway, I hope she continues to receive attention and exposure.


Edit: I completely forgot how to post a YouTube clip. I thought I did one last week with no problem, but the one from this post is not showing up for me.
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 11, 2017, 09:30:27 AM
It'd be nice if ECM released another recording of Tabakova's music. Geez...it's been too long since String Paths (2013).
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on September 11, 2017, 09:36:44 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 11, 2017, 09:30:27 AM
It'd be nice if ECM released another recording of Tabakova's music. Geez...it's been too long since String Paths (2013).

I agree, have you been able to find any other of her music available for listening?
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: kyjo on September 11, 2017, 10:01:59 AM
Thanks for bringing Tabakova to my attention, John. I'm a sucker for discovering cello concerti, so I'll definitely check out hers when I have time :)
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 11, 2017, 10:12:37 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on September 11, 2017, 09:36:44 AM
I agree, have you been able to find any other of her music available for listening?

I believe I've heard one of her newer works via YouTube, but I haven't found any recordings unfortunately. :(

Quote from: kyjo on September 11, 2017, 10:01:59 AM
Thanks for bringing Tabakova to my attention, John. I'm a sucker for discovering cello concerti, so I'll definitely check out hers when I have time :)

You'll most definitely dig the Cello Concerto. Right up your musical alley.
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: kyjo on September 11, 2017, 04:39:05 PM
A pity only the first two movements of her Cello Concerto can be found on YouTube :( The String Paths album isn't on Spotify either. Anyway, I'm about to listen to the first two movements now!
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 11, 2017, 04:41:33 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 11, 2017, 04:39:05 PM
A pity only the first two movements of her Cello Concerto can be found on YouTube :( The String Paths album isn't on Spotify either. Anyway, I'm about to listen to the first two movements now!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, Kyle. :)
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: kyjo on September 11, 2017, 05:01:00 PM
The slow movement is indeed incredibly beautiful. Music like that is the reason I play the cello :) I wasn't as struck by the first movement (which had partly to do with the performance on YouTube), but the ending is wonderfully deep and resonant.
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: vandermolen on September 12, 2017, 12:20:48 AM
Quote from: kyjo on September 11, 2017, 05:01:00 PM
The slow movement is indeed incredibly beautiful. Music like that is the reason I play the cello :) I wasn't as struck by the first movement (which had partly to do with the performance on YouTube), but the ending is wonderfully deep and resonant.
+1 although, unfortunately, I don't play the cello.  :-\
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: Mirror Image on September 13, 2017, 02:16:48 PM
Quote from: kyjo on September 11, 2017, 05:01:00 PM
The slow movement is indeed incredibly beautiful. Music like that is the reason I play the cello :) I wasn't as struck by the first movement (which had partly to do with the performance on YouTube), but the ending is wonderfully deep and resonant.

Great to hear. The Longing movement is one of the best pieces of music I've heard in a long time.
Title: Re: Dobrinka Tabakova (1980 -)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on November 04, 2017, 09:35:56 PM
Two piano pieces from Tabakova are featured in Andrew Matthews-Owen's new album.
Halo, a three movement work, and Nocturne are the pieces.


[asin]B0757HQ8L5[/asin]