Konstantin Iliev(1924-1988)
- Composer
Konstantin Iliev was born on March 9, 1924 in Sofia, Bulgaria. He graduated State Musical Academy "P.Vladigerov" in 1946. He studied "composition" in the class of Professor Pancho Vladigerov, "conducting' in the class of Professor Marin Goleminov and "violin" in the class of Professor. Vladimir Avramov. He specialized in the Prague Academy of Musical Arts in "conducting 'in the class of Professor V.Talich and "composition" in the class of Rzhidki, attends classes at quarter-tone composition of Professor Alois Habash (1946-47). In 1947, he returned to Bulgaria. Briefly he worked as a musicologist at Radio Sofia and then began to conduct as an active business. He was a founder of Ruse Symphony Orchestra (1947-48). He was a conductor of the Ballet of the Sofia Opera (1948-49). He was a Chief conductor of the Ruse Symphony Orchestra and the People's Opera Ruse (1949-52). He was a Chief Conductor of the Varna Symphony Orchestra (1952-56). Since 1956 he was a conductor and chief conductor of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. He was a Professor of "orchestral conducting" at State Musical Academy "P.Vladigerov" (1967). In 1969, he leaves the Philharmonic and till 1971 he performed a series of concerts and recordings for gramophone company "Balkanton". During the years 1971-72 and 1978-84 again was appointed chief conductor of the Philharmonic. From 1972 to 1978 he lived in Dobrich and founded the Festival of Chamber Music. As a conductor he received recognition in many countries of Europe, America and Asia and played a very big role in the promotion of the music of the twentieth century. There are many his records in Bulgarian National Radio, gramophone company "Balkanton" and foreign radio stations. He was one of the most important contemporary Bulgarian composers; his work is associated with so-called Bulgarian musical vanguard. He has worked in various genres: 2 operas and one ballet; cantata and oratorio works; 6 symphonies and other works for symphony orchestra; 7 Tempi concertos for different instrumental ensembles; 4 string quartets; Brass Quintet and other chamber ensemble and solo music; 5 songs for voice and piano; choral music for various compositions repertoire of performers; film and theater music. He is the author of three books, articles and studies. He died on March 6, 1988 in Sofia, Bulgaria.