Helene Karastoyanova facts for kids
Helene Karastoyanova (Bulgarian: Елена Карастоянова) is a talented Bulgarian composer. She was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, on October 1, 1933. A composer writes music, and Helene has created many different pieces for orchestras, choirs, and smaller groups of musicians.
About Her Life
Helene Karastoyanova grew up in Sofia, Bulgaria. Her father, Assen Karastoyanov, was also a famous composer. Helene followed in his footsteps and studied music at the State Academy of Music. She learned from her father and another well-known composer, Alexander Raychev.
After finishing her studies, Helene became a music teacher. She taught at the National Music High School in Sofia. She also taught at the Institute for Music and Choreographic Specialists. From 1983 to 1988, she was the head of the National Theatre Art High School. This school is also known as the State Choreographic School.
Helene Karastoyanova won the March Song Competition prize several times. She received this award in 1985, 1987, and 1989. This shows how much her music was appreciated.
Her Musical Works
Helene Karastoyanova writes many kinds of music. She creates pieces for large orchestras, which are big groups of musicians. She also composes for choruses, which are groups of singers. Additionally, she writes for chamber ensembles, which are smaller groups of musicians.
Some of her well-known musical pieces include:
- Space Guard (1985) for a male choir and a symphony orchestra.
- A Call to Arms (1987) also for a male choir and a symphony orchestra.
- Suite (1968) for a chamber orchestra.
- Sinfonietta (1969) for a string orchestra.
- Sonata for violin and piano (1967).
- Prelude and Joke for flute and piano (1979).
- Allegro for trumpet and piano (1980).
- Four Pieces (1964) for piano.
- Children’s Summer, a group of five easy pieces (1982) for piano.
- Holidays (1992) for piano.
- Three songs for voice and piano (1988).
- To Liberty (1974) a cantata for a mixed choir.
- Thirst (1974) a ballad for a mixed choir.
- Days (1974) for a mixed choir.
- Songs based on traditional lyrics (1977) for a mixed choir.
Helene Karastoyanova has also written articles about music. These articles share her knowledge and ideas with other musicians and students. Two of her articles are:
- The Hidden Polyphony in the Work of Johann Sebastian Bach
- The Phrygian Second in the Bulgarian Folksong
