Steppe Wind A-Blowin'

Andra Bǎcilǎ and Lily Petrova piano

LEONID DESYATNIKOV Songs of Bukovina
VLADIGEROV Variations on ‘Dilmano, Dilbero’, Op 2
KOMITAS Six Dances

Academy pianists Andra Bǎcilǎ and Lily Petrova introduce and perform three major works: extraordinary, urgent piano music reframing folk culture from Ukraine, Bulgaria and Armenia.

Leonid Desyatnikov’s extraordinary 2017 cycle recasts traditional Ukrainian folk songs with biting jazzy harmony. Pancho Valdigerov transforms one of Bulgaria’s most famous folk tunes, 'Dilmano Dilbero', into a virtuoso, Piazzolla-like rhapsody. The Armenian priest Komitas – represented here by six delicate dances – was a musicologist, singer, arranger and composer. Recognised as the soul-keeper of Armenian music, he was one of the pioneers of ethnomusicology, collecting and transcribing over 3000 pieces from 1904 to 1915.