EVENING BELL; Аuthor’s concert dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the birth of the Macedonian composer Goce Kolarovski

Goce Kolarovski (5.02. 1959, Skopje-30.11.2006, Skopje) belongs to the generation of Macedonian composers that was formed during the years of constant rise of the professional music creativity and the affirmation of the Macedonian national school of composition. He was raised in the famous Kolarovski family from Skopje-his grandfather was Mile Kolarovski, a renowned performer of bagpipe (gajda) and kaval and was one of the founding members of the national dance ensemble “Tanec”. Goce Kolarovski studied composition as the Faculty for Music in Skopje in the class of prof. Vlastimir Nikoovski and the “N. A. Rimsky-Korsakoff” Conservatory in Sankt Petersburg in the class of prof. Sergey M. Slonimsky. He continued to earn his master’s degree with prof. Nikolovski in his hometown Skopje – thus becoming the first Master of composition graduating from this Faculty.

The composer’s opus of Gove Kolarovski is heavily grounded in the traditional music of his country (folklore, orthodox chant), but it also reflects the contemporary music trends of the western music such as the folklorism of Bartok and Stravinsky and the avant-garde movements present in the polish school. Later he is influenced by Webern and Ives, the stylistic density and rationality of one and the vast multi layered substance of the other. Kolarovski expressed special interest in the phenomenon of the bells (church bells) transcending in his work the specific sound profile of the orthodox tradition.

While his opus is not particularly large, Kolarovski’s works have been important and omni present on the repertoire of all artists and ensembles in Macedonia as well as in other countries. These include “Prayer” (Molitvami) for symphonic orchestra, his compositions for string orchestra and various chamber ensembles and solo instruments. The early death of the composer left his opus open, an “unanswered question” of sorts (reference to the work of the same name by his favourite Charles Ives that he quotes in the cantata “Voices” on words by T. Eliott). A great part of his works have been recorded at the Macedonian national RTV and can be found on the CD releases if the Macedonian composer’s association that has also printed some of his scores.

Goce Kolarovski remains part of the history of the Macedonian music culture as a generic person, promoter of new ideas and standards. During tenure as a professor of composition and theory of music at the Faculty of music in Skopje, as well as during his 2 mandates as a dean of this institution, he was selflessly sharing his knowledge and supporting the creativity of his students. He initiated the first international summer schools of composition and was regularly organising and teaching at masterclasses and workshops. Kolarovski was a guest lecturer at the University in Nis, Serbia. As a researcher and publicist, he continuously promoted the new theoretical concepts and was passionate about the questions of contemporary music and education, presenting his work on numerous congresses and panel discussions in Macedonia and abroad. He was active in the Macedonian composer’s association serving as a member of the board and as Artistic selector for the festival Days of Macedonian music. Goce Kolarovski is a recipient of several awards for his contribution to Macedonian music and his works continue to be successfully performed by orchestras, soloists and ensembles leaving a strong staple with their emotional depth and skilful craftsmanship.

Viktorija Kolarovska-Gmirja, Musicologist

Marija Vrshkova – piano