Interview conducted with Prof Suzanna Klincharova by Dr Marinda Maree, University of Pretoria

Q 1: Please tell us something about the Music Department at the New Bulgarian University, for example about its size, the various divisions and the students.

The Music Department at the New Bulgarian University is very dynamic (see https://music.nbu.bg/en/).

After my conversation with Dr Marinda Maree, I was left with the impression that there is a similarity between the motivation of NBU and UP students who apply for admission to this Faculty. The specificity though, can be complementary in many cases.

Here are some highlights of programmes offered in this Department:

-Prof Milena Shushulova is the Head of the Department of Music and is the leading presenter of programmes in Piano and in Performance Management.

-Individual instrumental programmes are offered, for example in piano by Prof Lyudmil Angelov (see http://cantusfirmusbg.com/135/ludmil-angelov/); in violin by Prof Mario Hossen (see http://www.mariohossen.com); and in harp by Prof Suzanna Klintcharova (see http://suzannaklintcharova.com).

-Prof Gheorghi Arnaudov is a world-renowned composer and leads a programme in composition (see http://www.arnaoudov.net).

-Nayden Todorov is the Musical Director of the Sophia Philarmonic Orchestra, conducting the orchestra at the Wien Musikverein, the Berlin Philharmonic Concert Hall, etc. He leads the programme in Conducting (see http://naydentodorov.com).

-Prof Georgi Petkov, who was awarded the Latino Grammy for 2018, teaches classes in Ethnomusic and Composition, as well as the Folk-Jazz Formation (see http://Georgi.Petkov).

-Dr Angel Zaberski conducts the Big Band in Action and Jazz meets Classic (see http://www.angelzaberski.com).

-Dr Etien Levy is responsible for Pop and Rock singing (see http://etienlevy.com)

-Prof Yavor Konov teaches Musicology (see http://yavorkonov.alle.bg).

-Dr Nina Naidenova is the Director of Plovdiv Opera House and leads a programme in Musical Theater Directing (see http://ninanaidenova.com).

-Prof Simo Lazarov leads the Electronic and Computer Music and Composition programmes (see http://simolazarov.com).

This non-extensive list includes only some of the versatile programmes offered by the Music Department at the New Bulgarian University.

The most important role belongs to the Masterclasses, presented under the leadership of the head manager Martin Stoyanov, PhD

https://www.google.com/search?q=New+Bulgarian+University+masterclasses&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#ip=1).

The well-known Raina Kabaivanska School for opera singing does not need an introduction. Other heavyweights involved in the Masterclasses include Vicky Almazidou (jazz singing), Lyudmil Angelov (piano), Suzanna Klintcharova (harp) and Mario Hossen (violin).

Q2: Why did you choose the harp as you instrument of choice?

I was born in a family of artists and intellectuals. My mother was a concert pianist and I knew that I wanted to be a musician before I could talk. At bedtime I did not ask for a fairytale, but for specific pieces of music. During my early years I was infatuated with the piano and received a serious musical education, but I gradually developed an interest in the long resonance of the harp, which sounded quite magical to me. The large range and countless possibilities, the beauty of sound led me to try the instrument in my early teens, and I never looked back. It is an instrument that constantly challenges the musician and offers a beautiful and diverse repertoire.

http://suzannaklintcharova.com

Q3: Who is your favourite composer, and why?

My repertoire is eclectic and includes works ranging from compositions of the Renaissance period to contemporary music. In my twenty albums I made a point of using the harp compositions to present a stylistic picture that makes sense.

My favorite composers have always been the composers of my current project as a soloist, a recording artist and a professor. I believe that in order to convince the public we ourselves need to be convinced. The magic of sharing musical content, its beauty, is impossible without sincerity. My greatest source of happiness is found in the moments when I am getting closer to my own vision of the musical work, to the understanding I want to transmit. There is so much place for beauty in the world, so much room at the top.