Draft:Borislav Yasenov
BORISLAV YASENOV is a Bulgarian flutist-soloist, composer and pedagogue.
Borislav Yasenov graduated from the "Dobrin Petkov" Secondary Music School (now National School of Music and Dance Art) and the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv, where he studied flute under Assoc. Prof. Kiril Grozdanov. He completed two specializations: Instrumental Art – Flute with Prof. Lidia Oshavkova and Pop and Jazz – Flute with Prof. Simeon Shterev at the National Music Academy "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" in Sofia, where he also earned a doctoral degree with a dissertation on "For some Aspects of Flute Performance Art in Baroque and Jazz".
As a flutist, Yasenov actively performs in both classical music and jazz. He has appeared as a soloist with symphony and chamber orchestras, performing flute concertos by J. Ibert, C. Reinecke, W. A. Mozart, Fr. Devienne, C. Ph. E. Bach, A. Vivaldi and others. He has also been a guest soloist with renowned jazz ensembles and participated in various chamber groups, collaborating with distinguished musicians in both genres. His concert tours and masterclasses have taken him to Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Romania, Greece, North Macedonia and Turkey.
Yasenov has performed at numerous art and jazz festivals both in Bulgaria and abroad.
With Classical Music: International Festival "Autumn Music Festivals" (Skopje), the "Joaquin Rodrigo" International Festival, the "Spring in the Old Town" Arts Days (Plovdiv), the "Petko Staynov" Music Festivals, the "Chudomirov`s Celebrations" (Kazanlak), and the "New Bulgarian Music" Festival (Sofia) etc.
He has presented highly successful thematic concerts domestically and internationally, such as: "Flute protuberances" (2019), "Flute Music of Germany" and "Latin American Nuances" (2018), "The Spirit of the Flute" (2017), "French Fantasy" (2016), "Contrasts" – Contemporary Bulgarian Music (2015), "Universal and National in Baroque Music" and "Baroque and Jazz" (2013), "The Flute in the Works of Johann Sebastian Bach" (2012) etc.
Yasenov has premiered numerous flute works, some of which were composed specifically for him, including Capriccio for Flute and Piano by Yordan Dafov, Sonata for Flute and Piano by Lucas Jaramillo, and Sonata for Flute and Piano by Svetoslav Karagenov, dedicated to the duo B. Yasenov and V. Karagenova etc.
Yasenov's jazz career began in 1989 when he founded his first ensemble, the "Chorus" jazz quartet, which has carried his name since 1998. He implements projects on the concert stage, in recording studios, in Bulgarian National Television and Bulgarian National Radio. He writes music and arrangements for various groups.
He has released four original albums of conceptual jazz with Riva Sound Records Ltd.:
• "Mo, Di, Log" (1995)
• "The Crazy World" (1998)
• "There, Where..." (2004)
• "Again in the Game" (2024)
His compositions have been featured in various compilations, including "Essential Jazz from Bulgaria"' (Millennium, 2000) and in CDs from jazz festivals.
In 1996, he participated in a charity concert titled "Milcho Leviev and Friends", which was later released as a CD under the name "Royal step".
In 2002, he recorded the CD "Baroque and modern times" with the Valchevi Guitar Duo.
In 2006, he took part in a project with American jazz drummer Jim Shepparoew and legendary saxophonist Ornette Coleman.
He has frequently performed at numerous jazz and arts festivals in Bulgaria and abroad, including:
• International jazz festivals such as: "Varna Summer", Bansko Jazz Fest, "Plovdiv Jazz Evenings", Ruse Jazz Fest, Bankya Jazz Fest, Haskovo Jazz Fest, as well as the "Frucade" Jazz Fest in Kazanlak, "Winter Jazz Fest" in Plovdiv and others.
• Arts festivals such as: "Apollonia" (Sozopol), "Golden Diana" (Yambol), "White Swallow" (Balchik) and others.
He is the artistic director of the "Frucade" Jazz Fest (Kazanlak) and the "Winter Jazz Fest" (Plovdiv).
He appeared in the documentary film about jazz guitarist Ognyan Videv, "Rainy Day", directed by Andrey Chertov.
Prof. Dr. Borislav Yasenov works at the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts "Prof. Asen Diamandiev" in Plovdiv, where he teaches Flute (Classical, Pop and Jazz); Theory and Improvisation; Pop and Jazz Ensembles and more. His teaching interests include stylistics and interpretation of flute works in classical music (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary) and jazz. Improvisation and sound treatment. Methodological and applied aspects of flute performance.
He is the author of scientific papers and publications.
BOOKS
• "Flute Art and Culture from the Mid-18th Century to the 1830s" – Monograph, Astarta Publishing, Plovdiv, 2017.
• "Jazz Pieces for Flute and Ensembles" – Collection of Original Works by B. Yasenov, Astarta Publishing, Plovdiv, 2016.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
Yearbook of the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts "Prof. Asen Diamandiev" Plovdiv
• The Evolution of the "Flauto traverso" – 2012;
• Improvisation from Baroque to Jazz – 2013;
• Michel Blavet, Sonata for Flute and Basso continuo, Op. 2, No. 4, G minor "La Lumagne" – 2015;
• Antonio Vivaldi, Sonata for Flute and Basso continuo, Op. 13, No. 6, RV 58, G minor – 2018;
• A Brief Overview of Flute Developments in the 19th Century – 2022;
Collection "Spring Scientific Readings" of the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts "Prof. Asen Diamandiev" Plovdiv
• Partita for Solo Flute in A minor, BWV 1013 by Johann Sebastian Bach /An Attempt at Interpretative Analysis/ – 2012;
• Modern Jazz and the Role of the Flute in It – 2013;
• Sound Treatment in Flute Performance – Universal and Individual Aspects in Contemporary Performance Practice – 2014;
• Interpretation and Performance. The Artistic-Interpretative Nature of Flute Performance Art – 2015;
International Scientific Conference "Science, Education, and Innovations in the Field of Arts" – Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts "Prof. Asen Diamandiev," Plovdiv
• Jazz and Dance Music – Aspects and Analyses (From a Flutist’s Perspective) – 2017;
• Carl Reinecke, Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, D Major, Op. 283 – Musical-Aesthetic and Interpretative Analysis – 2019;
• Fantasies for Solo Flute No. 2 in A minor and No. 3 in B minor by Georg F. Telemann – Musical-Aesthetic and Interpretative Analysis – 2021.