Blagoja Ivanovski's symphonic 'Reflections': 100th anniversary of the composer's birth (1921-1994)

Abstract

The first works for symphony orchestra by Macedonian composers were written in the post-war period, from 1945 to 1957. During this period Macedonian composers introduced Western-European music models in Macedonian music culture. Several composers, among them Blagoja Ivanovski (1921-1994), are considered the pioneers of symphonism in contemporary Macedonian music. Among Ivanovski's contributions was the first symphonic poem Razmisluvanje (Reflection) written in 1954. This work will determine the creative manner in the works for symphony orchestra that follow: Symphony no. 1 Lesta (1957), Historical Poem (1958), Frescoes (1961), Tsar Samoil's Tragedy (Three symphonic poems) (1970), Vardar (1979) and Nerezi (1984). The paper presents the analysis of the form (symmetric structure), the orchestration (a tre) and the program (contents related to the national history and culture) of the symphonic poem Razmisluvanje. The paper is also concerned with the influence of Macedonian folk and traditional music in Ivanovski's compositions.