In addition to traditional solo and chamber music performances, Svetozar Ivanov designs and presents unusual concert formats combining music with other art forms (documentary footage, art films, animation, poetry, short stories, live dance improvisation, paintings, lighting design). An art form in themselves, these evocative programs suggest one complete aesthetic idea that develops throughout the program.
Below are brief descriptions of such recitals:
Multimedia recitals for solo piano:
Black Ten - inspired by Julio Cortazar's last poem Negro el Diez. Music by J.S.Bach, George Crumb, Robert Helps, Augusta Read Thomas, and David Del Tredici; Serigraphs by Luis Tomasello.
Blood of a Poet – a “three episode and an epilogue” recital with footage from Jean Cocteau’s film “Le sang d’un Poète”. Music by Satie, Cage, Shchedrin, Crumb, Villoldo
Short Stories – Dada-like collage of piano music and film footage from the first half of 20th Century combined with live structured dance improvisation
A Century Begins – music, poetry, paintings and documentary footage from the years leading to World War I
Vers la flamme – piano music by Scriabin and special color lighting inspired by the composer’s “color hearing” principles used in his orchestral work “Prometheus”
Scriabin and Russian Symbolism – Lecture Recital exploring connections between Russian Symbolist ideas and Scriabin’s music and philosophy; performances of Scriabin’s late piano music, poetry, philosophical readings, and paintings by representatives of Russian Symbolism
Multimedia recitals for violin and piano (Stuart-Ivanov Duo):
Creating a System within a System - the violin/piano music of Nikolai Roslavets combined with documentary footage from Soviet Russia, poetry by Anna Akhmatova, Marina Tsvetaeva and Soviet animation
Last Year at Marienbad – violin/piano-harpsichord music from the early French Baroque and 20th Century combined with footage from Alain Resnais’ film “L’année dernière à Marienbad”
Dreamtigers – a collage of violin/piano works by 20th Century composers combined with poems by e.e.cummings and short stories by Jorge Luis Borges
CHAMBER CONCERTI PROJECT
In 2005 Svetozar Ivanov launched a new initiative entitled: Chamber Concerti Project with the aim of commissioning New Works which feature Chamber Ensembles as Soloists with orchestra.
Chamber Concerto Project #1 has resulted in the acquisition of an exciting work by Victor Chouchkov: Trio Concerto (for piano, violin, cello and orchestra). The concerto was premiered (in collaboration with violinist Carolyn Stuart and cellist Scott Kluksdahl) with the Sofia Philharmonic of Bulgaria in April 2005. In June 2008 the concerto was recorded with the National Radio Orchestra and Carolyn Stuart, Scott Kluksdahl and Svetozar Ivanov as soloists.
“The Trio Concerto for piano, violin, cello and orchestra by Victor Chouchkov was written as a commission by Svetozar Ivanov from the University of South Florida. The masterly score had a very good balance between the orchestra and the soloists (Svetozar Ivanov, Carolyn Stuart and Scott Kluksdahl). It is an epic-lyrical work with nostalgic moments (for example the short reminiscences - appearing and disappearing motifs of the accordion, which shape a sort of a frame of the composition). I think the work will be very attractive for soloists - because it gives the possibilities for a solo showcase, and also for conductors – because of the beautiful dialogue in the frame of a very interesting and logically built form.” Musica Viva – April 2005
Two additional Concerti for violin, piano and orchestra (Chamber Concerto Project #2 and #3) are currently under commission by the Stuart-Ivanov Duo.
