Decho Taralejkov
composer, arranger, performer
01.11.1929 – 14.01.2002Kazanlak – Bulgaria
Decho Taralejkov graduated from the Law Faculty of Sofia University in 1951 and from the State Academy of Music in 1955 majoring in Clarinet. He studied Composition with Professor Alexander Raychev. He worked as editor-in-chief of the show programmes of the Bulgarian National Television in the 1960s and 1970s, deputy editor-in-chief of the Music Department of the Bulgarian National Radio (1977-84), director of the Variety Art Section and director of The Golden Orpheus Festival (1984-1989).
In the 1950s he played in various orchestras such as the orchestra of Sofia Town Council conducted by Hristo Vuchkov or the orchestra of the Theatre for Satire conducted by Benzion Eliezer. During the period he started making orchestral arrangements and in the 1960s won recognition as one of the leading orchestral arrangers in the field of Bulgarian pop music. His first song Old Truth was performed by Biser Kirov. In the 1980s he collaborated with the bands Signal and Phonoexpress. He conducted the Big Band of the Bulgarian National Radio and many times was responsible for editing and writing the scenario of the TV festival Melody of the Year and The Golden Orpheus Festival.
He composed a symphony poem-requiem “Perushtitsa 1876”; over 250 arrangements and orchestrations of pop songs, operettas, theatre music, TV musical plays etc.
Creativity
TV musical plays:
Krivorazbranata tzivilizatzia (Phoney Civilisation);
Vrajaletz (Healer).
Awarded songs:
Hey You, Spring (1979).
We, the Old Sailors, performed by Biser Kirov (second prize at the competition Songs for Burgas).
Awarded arrangements:
The Golden Orpheus Festival:
The Thief of Pearls (music by Dimitar Valchev) (first prize,1967).
I Had a Dream (music by Atanas Boyadjiev) (the Grand Prix, 1969);
Late Meetings (music by Petar Stupel);
One Bulgarian Rose; Dedication (music to both by Dimitar Valchev).