Years
2019 2018
Stefan Velkov Guitar Recital
2018-04-19

19 April 2018

Odeion

19:30

Bulgarian-born Stefan Velkov was introduced to music since earliest childhood. His official training in music theory, piano and guitar started at the age of seven.

Stefan received his first music degree as a guitar and light music performer from the Bulgarian State Conservatoire (later renamed to Bulgarian Academy of Music). At this stage (the late seventies of the 20th century) the guitar in Bulgaria was still regarded mostly as a light-music instrument. That is why it was included as a study subject only within the Light Music Department of the Conservatoire. The interest and the knowledge of the classical guitar was still at its infancy, but its popularity was growing fast. This made it necessary for the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture to make a historic decision: for the first time in Bulgarian music history, a decision was made to send a young Bulgarian guitarist to Germany to receive a proper music degree in classical guitar and to return to Bulgaria and introduce classical guitar as a subject at the Bulgarian Academy of Music.

After competing with all the most talented guitarists of the country, Stefan won the competition which enabled him to receive a master's degree in classical guitar from the Berliner Hochschule fur Musik Hanns Eisler. He completed his studies in guitar, piano and composition with a special reward of the Hochshule as one of the five best students. During his studies he also won the competition for the best guitar composition.

During his studies abroad (1981 - 1988) Stefan met and had masterclasses with most of the best guitar professors and guitar maestros of our time: Maria-Livia Sao Marcos (Switzerland/ Brazil), Costas Cotsiolis (Greece), Dieter Kreidler (Germany) and Leo Brouwer (Cuba).

In 1986 he was appointed as the first classical guitar lecturer at the Bulgarian Academy of Music and chairperson of the guitar festivals and competitions. This was the time when his own active concert career began. Stefan's repertoire includes most of the great masterpieces ever written for this instrument, but he became more and more known for his own compositions for guitar which, according to critics, outshine the best known masterpieces created for classical guitar.

Stefan’s arrival in SA (1991), coincided with the search of the Free State Musicon for a qualified guitar lecturer in order to introduce the subject classical guitar as part of its music training programme. He was offered the position of senior guitar lecturer at the Musicon which he holds until present day. During this time he also taught at the University of the Free State (1992 - 1999).

Stefan has given concerts in Bulgaria, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, England and South Africa.

PROGRAMME

  • Velkov: Summer Dream
    From the golden heritage of the classical guitar:
    • Villa-Lobos: Prelude
  • Two Magnificent Arpeggios
    • Giuliani
    • Brower
  • Two Romantic Pieces:
    • Velkov: Serenade
    • Velkov: Adagio (The Magic Of Love)
  • Velkov: Bulgarian Suite for Guitar
    • I Bulgarian folk dance
    • II Bulgarian folk-singing
    • III Bulgarian folk dance in 7/8
    • IV Bulgarian folk-song
    • V Bulgarian folk dance in 9/8
  • Velkov: Tango
  • Velkov: Two Modern Dances
  • Velkov: The Wild Horse

ADMISSION

  • R120 (adults)
  • *R80 (pensioners)
  • *R70 (UFS staff)
  • *R50 (students, learners and block bookings of 10+)

Tickets available at Computicket or online at http://online.computicket.com/web/

*Please note that tickets for pensioners, students, learners and UFS staff can only be purchased at a Computicket outlet (Shoprite Checkers) or at the doors since a valid card or ID has to be presented to qualify for the above mentioned discount.

ENQUIRIES
Ninette Pretorius (tel. 051 401 2504)


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Lusistrata

Production: Lusistrata
Text: Aristophanes
Adaptation & Translation: P. J van Rensburg
Director: Stephanie Brink
Venue: Wynand Mouton Theatre
Dates and times:
15 – 17 September at 19h30

Bookings: Computicket (Mimosa Mall and Checkers)

Bookings for block bookings of 10 or more people can be done with Thys Heydenrych (072 235 3191)



Lusistrata; The Battle of the Sexes...

This September, the University of the Freestate presents Lusistrata at the Wynand Mouton theatre in Bloemfontein . The text for Aristophanes" age old comedy, has been translated and adapted for the modern theatre by P. J van Rensburg. Thanks to the expert guidance of director Dr. Stephanie Brink, the relatively inexperienced cast of third year drama students can say their performance does justice to a story which has stood the test of time.

The action takes place in the city of Athens, which is completely devoid of men. Every man, and every almost-man, has been called to war, and whilst they are being killed off in the fighting, their wives are left at home to raise babies and amuse themselves. Lusistrata has called together the women of Athens and Sparta to come up with a way to force their husbands to come to a peace agreement. The battle of the sexes ensues, as the women select silky, transparent night dresses and dainty shoes as their weapons of choice, coupled with a strategy which relies more on falling back than attacking...Yes, Lusistrata"s fighting methods are alternative, but regardless, she quickly manages to prove that it is the women who will take care of the war!

Althouth it has been adapted, the play still makes use of a traditional Greek chorus and elements of exaggerated costuming. The production makes use of sexual themes and suggestive wordplay but no physical love scenes or nudity and is suitable for audience members 16 years and older.
Lusistrata opens at the Wynand Mouton Threatre on the 15th of September will be running until the 17th of September. Performances begin at 19:30 and tickets are available via Computicket.

For more information contact:

Marijda Kamper
051 401 2160
 

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