Nayden Gerov


composer, musical journalist, pianist

Найден Геров

14.06.1916 – 24.10.1989Plovdiv – Bulgaria

Nayden Gerov graduated from the American College in Sofia (1930).

He studied the piano with Dmitri Goncharov, Theory of Music and Composition with Johannes Naumann. He worked at the Experimental Theatre of Sofia, the Blue Shirts Theatre (1939-41) and was accompanist at the Varna Opera (1947–61). There he composed his first opera. His constant assistant-librettist was his wife Alla Zaharchuk-Gerova. From 1962 to the end of his life he worked as a freelance composer.

Besides his stage works, he is also author of an oratorio and a requiem; three symphonies; four concertos; chamber instrumental and vocal music; choral songs; theatre and film music.

Creativity

Stage music:

Operas:

Paisii Hilendarski (premiered in Varna, 1959);
Cinderella – children’s opera (premiered in Varna, 1965);
White Spring (1961);
The Three Musketeers (1970);
Arco Iris;
Yan Bibiyan – children’s opera (premiered in Ruse, 1969);
A Flight to Claris (premiered in Blagoevgrad, 1982).

Operettas (fairytales for children):

The Twelve Months (1976);
Snow-White And The Seven Dwarfs (1982), both premiered at the Music Theatre in Lovech.

Musical plays:

A New Year’s Night (TV fairytale) (premiered in Sofia, 1960).

Ballets:

The Victory;
Svejk Goes To War (premiered in Varna, 1964);
Vae Victoribus (1968).

Choral-orchestral:

Requiem Ave Libertas (1984).

For soprano and symphony orchestra:

Six Songs For The Sea (1962);
Three Songs (1965);
12 Songs after Federico Garcia Lorca (1971).

For symphony orchestra:

Symphonies:

Symphony N1 (1977);
Symphony N2 (1979);
Symphony N3 (1980).

Concertos:

Concerto for piano;
Concerto for violin;
Concerto for viola;
Concerto for violoncello (1986).

For chamber orchestra:

Suite in Bulgarian Traditional Style (1970);
Suite for violin and chamber orchestra (1972).

Chamber music:

Piano Trio; Sonata for violin and piano (1976);
Sonata for violoncello and piano (1987).

Vocal music:

Poem (1966);
The Knight Olaf for voice and piano (1985).

Film music to:

Kaloyan, directed by D. Dokovski (1962).