REGER: Three Suites for Viola Solo, Op. 131d - SPOHR: Duo for Violin and Viola, Op. 13 - Dimitar Penkov, Evgenia-Maria Popova

REGER: Three Suites for Viola Solo, Op. 131d – SPOHR: Duo for Violin and Viola, Op. 13

Coming soon on digital platforms!

Max REGER: Viola Suite No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 131d: I. Molto sostenuto – II. Vivace – III. Andante sostenuto – IV. Molto vivace – Viola Suite No. 2 in D Major, Op. 131d: I. Con moto – II. Andante – III. Allegretto – IV. Vivace – Viola Suite No. 3 in E Minor, Op. 131d: I. Moderato – II. Vivace – III. Adagio – IV. Allegro vivace – Louis SPOHR*: Duet for Violin and Viola, Op. 13: I. Allegro moderato – II. Adagio – III. Tempo di Minuetto.

Dimitar Penkov, Viola
* Evgenia-Maria Popova, Violin

Dimitar Penkov was born 1953 in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria and studied at the National Academy of Music in his hometown. In 1974 he was the youngest participant and won the 1. Prize and a Gold Medal at the International Music Competition in Sofia. Dimiter Penkov reached international acclaim when he was laureate at the International Music Competition in Geneva in 1977. Dimitar Penkov then became a member of the National String Quartet of the Bulgarian Radio, with which he won prizes in the competitions in Colmar and Evian.

After 1979 Dimitar Penkov continued his studies with Yfrah Neaman in London, who described him as a „brilliant violist, perfect musician and sensitive chamber musician“. In the following years he performed as a soloist and chamber musician all over the world.

In 1985 he was commissioned as leader to the viola section of the Philharmonia Orchestra of the Broadcasting Commission in North Germany. Dimitar Penkov continued to expand his career and regularly perform on stage as a soloist, chamber musician and conductor. Numerous recordings testify his commitment to contemporary music and a rare repertoire.

In November 1985 he was bestowed with the honour of premiering the Viola Concerto by Krzysztof Penderecki at the Festival of Contemporary Music in Metz to the audience in France. Olivier Messiaen described him as a phenomenal viol ist. He was engaged for various live recordings with Radio Paris, Sofia, Zurich and Moscow and his Vita graces recordings for Balkanton, Melodia, Gallo, GEGA, Fox Records, CPO and Romeo Records NY.

In the course of his comprehensive career as an artist, Dimitar Penkov has collaborated with many well-known conductors: including Aldo Ceccato, Pierre Bartolomée, Michael Tabachnik, Vasil Stefanov, Lutz Herbig, Gilbert Varga, Konstantin Iliev, Anthony Bramall, Vasily Kasandjiev, Plamen Djourov, Nikos Athineos, Otmar Maga and others.

So far released by Gallo:
Arthur HONEGGER: Sonata for Viola and Piano; Johannes BRAHMS: Two Sonatas op. 120 for viola and piano (with Wolfgang Manz, piano). Gallo CD-833
Paul HINDEMITH, Petar CHRISTOSKOV, Alexander RAICHEV, Krzysztof PENDERECKI, Max REGER: Works for Viola sola. Gallo CD-1577

http://www.penkov.de/

Releases on Gallo:
Arthur Honegger : Sonate pour alto et piano ; Johannes Brahms : Deux Sonates op. 120 pour alto et piano (avec Wolfgang Manz, piano). Gallo CD-833
Paul Hindemith, Petar Christoskov, Alexander Raichev, Krzysztof Penderecki, Max Reger : Œuvres pour alto solo. Gallo CD-1577

Bulgarian violinist Evgenia-Maria Popova is among her countrys foremost musicians. She is one of the last pupils of the legendary Leonid Kogan at the Moscow State Conservatory.

Popovas concert carrier begins after winning top-prizes in some of the most important violin contests – J.Thibaud, C.Flesch, Montreal, to name a few. Evgenia-Maria Popova has performed as a soloist in the most prestigious concert halls all over the world.

Her CDs of Six Solo Sonatas by Ysäye (“Leman Classics”), and the world premiere recording of the 24 Bulgarian Caprices by Peter Hristoskov, dedicated to her (“Dynamic”), have been highly praised internationally (“The Strad”, “American Record Guide”, “CD Classica”).

Ms. Popovas enormous repertoire includes all important works for the violin. Her brilliant integral performances of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, Schumann, Ysaÿe, Vivaldi have won her high critical acclaim and artistic prestige.

Evgenia-Maria Popova plays a G.Cappa-1691, property of Bulgarian State, given to her in recognition of her outstanding achievements.

https://music.youtube.com/channel/UCXEOlCK0d2visFqrOu7IywA

CD-1729 Booklet.pdf