SIUE’s Simidtchieva Presents “A Century of Bulgarian Piano Trios” Featuring the World Premiere of Lora Al-Ahmad’s "Irminden"
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Marta Simidtchieva, professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music, will present an evening of Bulgarian music with Miroslav Hristov, professor of violin at the University of Tennessee, and Ilia Radoslavov, professor of piano at Illinois Wesleyan University, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12 in SIUE’s Dunham Hall Theater. The evening will feature works by Bulgarian composers and the world premiere of a piano trio, “Irminden,” by the young and upcoming Bulgarian composer Lora Al-Ahmad.
“I’m excited to share the music of my home country with our community,” Simidtchieva said. “The program features a century of Bulgarian piano trios, culminating with the world premiere of Lora Al-Ahmad's work “Irminden.” SIUE is at the spotlight, and it is special to present a work for the first time!”
Attendees will be introduced to the beauty of Bulgarian classical music unique for its rhythms and harmonies. Rarely performed works by Bulgarian composers and the world premiere of Al-Ahmad’s work will be the featured performances. The event is sponsored by SIUE’s Emeriti Faculty Association, and co-sponsored by the Women’s Studies Program and Department of Music.
In spring 2021, Simidtchieva was awarded the Emeriti Faculty Association Award for her project Bulgarian Music and the Creative Process: A Modern Transformation of Heritage and Traditions through a World Premiere.
“Receiving the Emeriti Faculty Association award is quite meaningful,” said Simidtchieva. “With their support, our students will experience a diverse music presentation and will have the opportunity to work with the guest artists visiting campus in a masterclass setting. In addition, composer Lora Al-Ahmad will be presenting a webinar for the Women's Studies Program.”
Al-Ahmad will present a lecture for the SIUE Women’s Studies Program on women composers and their struggle for recognition, which will take place virtually at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 12. Register for the webinar at https://siue.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5hlmQhPGTvC-fccZ54nx2Q.
In addition to the webinar and Bulgarian trio event, several masterclasses will be offered in Dunham Hall on Friday, Nov. 12. Al-Ahmad will offer a composition masterclass at 10 a.m. in room 2143; Radoslavov will offer a piano masterclass at 11 a.m. in room 1109; and Hristov will offer a chamber music masterclass at 11:30 a.m. in room 2143. All events are free and open to the public.
Photo: (L-R): Miroslav Hristov, professor of violin at the University of Tennessee, Marta Simidtchieva, professor in the SIUE College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Music, and Ilia Radoslavov, professor of piano at Illinois Wesleyan University.
