“Breaking Boundaries,” a Classical Concert Featuring a Unique, Diverse and Exciting Program Performed by World Class Musicians from the USA , Russia & Bulgaria + Interview with Pianist Tania Stavreva
Initiated by Grammy-nominated conductor Vladimir Gorbik, Breaking Boundaries is a unique project geared toward uniting the shared creative efforts of American and Russian composers and performers during a time of heightened political tension. The artistic vision for this concert places in front of the audience the human desire for beauty, transcending cultural barriers, expressed through a mutual heritage of music. Made up of performers who hail from Anglophone and/or Slavic countries, the strings of the Capital Symphony Orchestra will realize the diverse program chosen by Gorbik. In the words of the conductor: At my invitation, Adelphi University professor and composer Nicholas Reeves, will begin the evening with a brief lecture on the need for citizens from different nations, presenting the potential for conflict, to develop an ongoing dialogue through numerous musical collaborations.
Breaking Boundaries, the first in a series of concerts dedicated to peaceful international relations, will be premiered at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church (411 East 66th Street and 1st Avenue, New York, NY).
The Capital Symphony Orchestra, Tania Stavreva (Pianist) | Video,
Comprised of two parts, the evening opens with Peter Ilyich Tchaikovskys Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48. This composition is a prime example of the composers ability to unite the artistic ideals of Eastern and Western concert music. Tchaikovskys works continue to be well-loved by Americans, while never abandoning their deeply rooted Russian provenance.
In the second part of the concert is the music of another Slav, Bulgarian composer Alexander Vladigerov. His Variations on the Bulgarian Folk Song Dilmano, Dilbero, Op. 2 for solo piano will be performed by New York based multi-award winning Bulgarian-born piano dynamo (Time Out New York) Tania Stavreva. Her energetic playing has been described as Unique! (AXS.com), World-Class (Classicalite News), and Edgy Stavrevas got rhythm (The Huffington Post).
Near the end of the concert, Reeves Concertino Campane for solo piano and string orchestra will receive its premiere performance. Specifically written for Stavreva, this work is based on the acoustics of bells found throughout different cultures, promising to showcase her rhythmic intensity at the keyboard.
Anna Clynes plaintive Within Her Arm ends the evening in a hushed air of contemplation and embrace. Originally from the U.K, but now based in the U.S., Clyne wrote this work for the Los Angeles Philharmonic in memory of her mother. Alex Ross of the New Yorker describes this composition as, a fragile elegy for fifteen strings; intertwining voices of lament bring to mind English Renaissance masterpieces of Thomas Tallis and John Dowland.
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On a beautiful October day I got to meet Tania in person. Below is an organized summary of our conversation:
1. Could you tell me a little bit about the concert you have coming up (much of this information, and much more, is in the above press release)?
I am very excited to be a part of this unique concert and also to have the opportunity to perform the world premiere of “Concertino Compane” by acclaimed American composer Nicholas Reeves for solo piano and string orchestra. I am looking forward to be collaborating also with Grammy nominated Russian conductor Vladimir Gorbik and the Capitol Symphony Orchestra New York branch. In addition to the Concertino, I will be performing also Variations on a Bulgarian Folk Song “Dilmano, Dilbero”, Op. 2 by Bulgarian composer Alexander Vladigerov.
Photo on the Red Carpet at the Grammy Awards red carpet, Los Angeles, CA _ Credit Tania Savrera
2. Who is your favorite composer?
It is impossible to name one. I have a new favorite every time I work on a new piece or bring back an old piece :) If I have to try to speak a bit more generally, I tend to connect more to the music by Russian and Bulgarian composers (Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, Scriabin, Vladigerov, Stoyanov, etc.). The music by Bulgarian classical composers is still not so well known in the West and it is often similar in some ways to the music of the famous Russian composers but many Bulgarian composers use the traditional asymetrical rhythms which are very unique, exciting and typical for Bulgaria and the Bulgarian folklore. Examples of such rhythms are 9/8, 7/8, 11/8 and etc. You can hear a lot of those at my album Rhythmic Movement on tracks 1, ,2, 3, 13, etc. But lately, a lot of similar rhythms are used in many movies – for example the Wonder Woman soundtrack, as well as in the music of many modern composers. Currently I collaborate with a lot of American composers and some of them are very influenced by new rhythms and use percussive style in piano writing (similar to Prokofiev, Ginastera) and etc.
On another hand…if I really have to pick one and only one composer….well maybe that would be Bach. He is like the beginning of everything in music (not literally of course)… I played a lot of Bach growing up and at the moment I do not perform so much of his music at my current programs but I will soon, and his compositions are very healing and spiritual to me. There is so much light and harmony in his music! We are living in a chaotic world, where there is more time for communicating through tech devices and less time for in person communication… and at many places, surrounded by traffic, constantly rushing for the next thing, stress, traffic, etc.. And then all of a sudden in this world of chaos you play Bach…. it is like all of a sudden a ray of light comes from the darkness.Playing Bach to me is like going into a different world where you are putting everything at the right place, it is like taking a deep breath and using mindfulness to guide you in the present moment.. And then playing anything after that feels different. Playing Bach is light a dose of healthy food for the musical brain.
Tania Stavreva live at the Berlin Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany, 2018 _ Credit Alexander Baumbach
3. I’ve always wondered how Beethoven made the compositions he did being deaf. Do you have thoughts about his music?
Beethoven made the impossible possible. It is a pure genius! In his music there is so much struggle but he never gave up no matter how hard his life was and how difficult the struggles were. There is so much fight for life to win over death. There is so much fight for the positive, for light to win over darkness. I don’t know how he did it. But he did it especially in his Ninth Symphony “Ode To Joy”. He left us a great message and this music is very deep and eternal.
Tania Stavreva at Place des Arts, Montreal, QC, Canada, Sept 19, 2019 _ Credit Richard Bastarache
4. When did you begin playing piano and how did that evolve to where you are now?
I began playing the piano when I was four years old. Friends of my parents had a piano and when we visited I would tinker around with the keys. Since I liked the piano so much, my parents bought me a piano and I started lessons. My father was a professional musician. He played violin, guitar and was also conductor. He was one of the smartest man in the world (not because he was my father but because it is the truth) and an amazing artist interested in languages, all types of literature, art, philosophy and mathematics. So, I entered the National Music School Dobrin Petkov” in Plovdiv, Bulgaria where I got a very solid musical training and then I continued my studies in the USA. During my student years I had to do what I was told to do by my teachers: perform at my juries, master classes, auditions, competitions and classical music festivals. The repertoire at a lot of these activities is pretty standard so after graduating, I started experimenting with composing, as well as working with living composers and new music. Coming from old school traditions gave me a great foundation and it has an impact on my current ideas in terms of concert programming. Being able to have the freedom to curate my own solo recital programs, is really a way to speak better to my audience through my heart.
Tania Stavreva at The Sembrich Museum, NY, Photo by Guptill Photography
5. What is your most memorable performance?
It is also impossible to name one. They are all so different. It depends on the point of view. For example, in popular music, success is determined by the sales and number of people showing up. But to me, a performnace could be memorable even in an intimate setting. Sometimes I play at 50 people size intimate salon or chamber music hall and sometimes I play in front of 1000 + audience. To me what’s memorable is how I feel and how was the energy at the space and how did connecting to the audience felt.
Playing on stage is like throwing yourself in fire. There is nothing like a life performance on stage. You could never get this feeling in the practice room, no matter how many hours you practice. And performing a new piece, especially a world premiere, is nerve racking lol (such as the Nicholas Reeves’ Concertino that I will be performing for a 1st time on Oct. 30th). But I like the challenge because a challenge is something that makes my one’s life bigger.
Tania Stavreva live at the Berlin Philharmonie, Berlin, Germany, 2018 _ Credit Alexander Baumbach
Pianists always use a different piano – we don’t carry around the instrument we know like a trumpeter of a tubist.
Tania Strevera’s Foot_ Credit Will Calhoun (Living Colour)
6. What do you feel when you perform?
Well… it depends on what I am performing and on what the composer intended. My repertoire ranges from Baroque to Contemporary, some pieces are peaceful, some more energetic. Each composer of music is like a script writer. They write the story and we, the musicians are the actors playing the story. Being a pianist, I often feel like an actress, because I need to get into different characters based on what the story of the music is about. Yes, I have my own interpretation but I also want to say what the composer intended.
I often see colors when I play music. Sometimes in the music of the French Impressionists I see painting by Monet. In 2012 I even collaborated with body painters Danny Setiawan and Derrick Little on music and body painting project available to see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9ETa_iIG9s
Many composers have been inspired by paintings and visual art. Alexander Scriabin for example had synethsia. In one of his late compositions “Vers la Flamme”, it is such a visual work! To me, the story starts like a flame from a small candle growing bigger into fire, light, heat, senses, and then it explodes.. And he composed this piece before the term global warming even existed. It is like he almost predicted it in his music.
Tania Stavrera _ Credit Reggo Wilson Photography
7. Have you thought of music as a way to heal?
Certain music could really be healing and there many studies and specialists working in this area. I participated in the past at a couple of benefit and charity concerts where I performed at hospitals (Dana Faber Cancer Institute, Los Angeles Children’s Hospital, centers for Alzeimers, Autism and such.) The organizers explained that music really helps their patients and asked me to play anything I’d like.
8. Do you work out?
When I have time! I just started barre, I am new to it. I have tension in my shoulders/upper back so I can see it being helpful to me. I do feel better when I work out so I should do it more often :) I also meditate and I should do this more regularly. It is hard when you travel so much and jet lags.
9. What impact can music have on the development of a child’s mind?
Many studies show that when I child is playing a musical instrument, the brain develops differently, it is basically the full body workout for the brain and no other activity develops it as comprehensively as music, not even chess lol. Here it is explain more in depth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0JKCYZ8hng
Tania Stavreva at Place des Arts, Montreal, QC, Canada, Sept 19, 2019 _ Credit Richard Bastarache
10. You also teach and model?
I have been teaching for 12+ years or so. I work with children and adults and I love sharing my knowledge with others who would like music to a part of their world. In general I think classical music should be more accessible and teaching is a great bridge. Classical music is often isolated, it has its own small community but I think it should expand and reach to more people. Often students decide to start piano lessons because they saw a piano cover, or they want to learn a pop song, but when you show them music by classical composers and provide more music history and background, often people are fascinated. They didn’t learn about classical music at school or in the media, but at their piano lessons.
I was very fortunate that I was raised in a very cultured and highly intellectual family and I also went to a special music school but a lot of people didn’t have that luxury. That’s why being exposed in more media, educational programs at schools, TV, etc. is a way to reach more people. Modeling is fun and by collaborating with designers (remember, the work attire of a concert pianist is a gown dress ;) ), photographers, magazines, fashion media and etc. is also a way to feature a musician but also reach new audience of all ages.
Tania Stavrera_ Credit Reggo Wilson Photography
Tania Stavrera _ Credit Paul Stetzer Photography
Tania Stavreva is also performing in New York on December 3rd (her birthday) and December 7th, 2019. For more information, sign her mailing list at www.taniastavreva.com
Click here to buy her Billboard Classical Top 10 Album.
