Tale Ognenovski

October 11 awards for special and eminent achievements in the areas of science, culture, art and journalism were handed at the Macedonian Parliament on Saturday, October 11th., 2003. Institute of Macedonian language "Krste Misirkov" from Skopje and Professor Dr. Ljupco Ajdinski, teacher of the handicapped, are the winners of the award in the area of science and education. President of the Board for award "October 11" prof. Dr. Trajan Gocevski awarded "October 11" awards.The winners of October 11 award for 2003 in the area of culture and art are Tale Ognenovski, the clarinet virtuoso, and Zoica Purovska-Velevska, prima ballerina from Skopje. The glittering ceremony on October 11, 2003 in the Macedonian

“…Tale Ognenovski  is the greatest clarinetist, reed piper, zourlist and small bagpiper of all time, and one of the Greatest Composers in World Music...Tale Ognenovski said: “I am very proud and happy for I am the winner of "11 Oktomvri" award. This award is the main source of my strength and motivation for composing… My son Stevan Ognenovski has great contribution for my career: for realizing my first CD album "Jazz, Macedonian Folk Dances and Classical Music," and for writing the book entitled: “Tale Ognenovski Virtuoso of the Clarinet and Composer,” Article entitled " “Macedonian Musical Genius Tale Ognenovski, the winner of "11 Oktomvri" award."  - By Mileva Lazova, October 10, 2003, Makedonsko Sonce, Republic of Macedonia.

Interview of Tale Ognenovski for the newspaper "Nova Makedonija" on October 11, 2003
"Tale Ognenovski: “I received the First Award Clarinet as a best clarinetist at the First Republic Macedonian Festival of Folk Dances and Songs, Skopje, October 6-10, 1948. I performed as a virtuoso clarinet and reed pipe soloist with the Macedonian Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs ‘Tanec’ on American television, CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System), on January 22, 1956, on French Television on September 20 and 21, 1956, on Swiss Television, on July, 1959… Parts of the articles in the newspapers: “…some remarkable music on both orthodox and unorthodox instruments - a raucous and unforgettable pipe…,” written by John Martin, The New York Times, January 28, 1956,  Title: "Ballet: Yugoslav Folk Art 'Tanec' Dancers Appear at Carnegie Hall in Display of Tremendous Skill,"  is related to my appearance at world-famous Carnegie Hall as reed pipe and clarinet soloist.
“…When five of them dance the "Sopska Poskocica,"  which apparently just means they are showing off to the girls. I would keep them any day as unfair trade for the four little swans in "Swan Lake." They are brilliant, gay, and worth seeing...,” written by Claudia Cassidy, title: "On the Aisle Yugoslav Ballet a Colorful Addition to International Dance", and published in the newspaper Chicago Daily Tribune, on  February 6, 1956. I was a virtuoso clarinet soloist in Sopska Poskocica ("Shopska potskoknuvachka") but also and arranger of music because I added my own musical phrases and improvisations in more parts of the dance. I performed with much faster rhythm than appear in the original version of this folk dance, which contribute all articles in the newspapers for this dance to be brilliants.
“…An audience which jammed Carnegie to capacity (the house had been sold out by last Monday) cheered and applauded the folk dancing with as much enthusiasm as if it had been witnessing classical, theatrical ballet at its most glittering." Written by Walter Terry, title: 'Yugoslav Folk Ballet", New York Herald Tribune, January 28, 1956.
“…This group would be hard to beat…”  written by Albert Goldeberg, title "Yugoslav Folk Ballet Opens Engagement",  Los Angeles Times, March 13, 1956.
“…"Macedonian Tune," which in its intricate rhythms and plaintive melody should at least make Dave Brubeck send out an emergency call for Darius Milhaud..." Written by R. H. Hagan, title "Yugoslav Ballet Proves Folk Dancing 'Tricky' ", San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, March 8, 1956.
“…Together they make as vigorous a display of dancing as the U.S. has never seen." Title: "Dance Bouncing Brigands, Yugoslav come to U.S.", Life, USA, April 9, 1956.
My contribution for these wonderful articles in the newspapers was the greatest regarding the other musicians of Ensemble “Tanec”.  I was virtuoso clarinet and reed pipe soloist in the most parts of the programme of Ensemble “Tanec.” I was Head of the “Folk Music Orchestra” of “Macedonian Radio Television.” I performed with many Cultural Artistically Societies. I recorded many gramophone records.   On October, 2001, is released my CD-album entitled, "Jazz, Macedonian Folk Dances and Classical Music." Record Label: Independent Records, USA. This Audio CD is the best album for all time for instrumental music. This album is confirmation that I am the greatest clarinetist, reed piper, zourlist and small bagpiper of all time and one of the greatest composers in the world of music. My sincere gratitude for I won top honors as the winner of 11 Oktomvri award, the highest and the most prestigious national award in Republic of Macedonia. This Award gave me inspiration for new composing... My biography was published in the book on December 2000 and entitled "Tale Ognenovski Virtuoso of the Clarinet and Composer", and written by  Stevan Ognenovski, Mag.Scient.  Publishing house is MATICA MAKEDONSKA. The book is published in both Macedonian and English. My biography is published on the Web site www.taleognenovski.com.mk, since September 18, 1998, and written by the same author, my son Stevan Ognenovski, M.Sc.” These words appeared in an article entitled, “Tale Ognenovski, Clarinetist, and Musical Virtuoso, which has been touring World” and published in the newspaper "Nova Makedonija" on October 11, 2003.

Tale Ognenovski as musician and composer contributed in our folklore culture
"Tale Ognenovski won 11 Oktomvri award for 2003, the highest national award in Republic of Macedonia for achievements in the area of culture and art…
Extraordinary important, rare voluminous,  and with quality, almost irreplaceable, creative artistic presence of Tale Ognenovski on the programs of Radio and Television since 1948. Numerous sound records and every performance of Tale Ognenovski with his clarinet remain valuable, unique and permanent artist values for our culture. He with creative work developed into real virtuoso and artist. He had created his own style for interpreting the folk dances ("ora"), in which are especially characteristically his inventive improvisations. In parallel with reproduction Tale Ognenovski become composer of his own folk dances. As a composer, Ognenovski kept traditional folk expression. He is unique maestro of developing from the smallest element of folk music  a complex instrumental content.  Tale Ognenovski as musician and composer contributed in our folklore culture.”  These words appeared in an article entitled, “ The Winners of 11 Oktomvri Awards” and published in the newspaper ‘Nova Makedonija’ on October 11, 2003.

He is maestro of improvisation and creativity
In the programme “Folklorni odblesoci” of Nacional Macedonian Radio, broadcasted on October 22, 2003, Kiril Todevski, the author of the programme said about Tale Ognenovski, “Tale Ognenovski won 11 Oktomvri award for 2003, the highest national award in Republic of Macedonia for achievements in the area of culture and art… During last six decades he has continuously demonstrated his skill at original and superb interpretation. He has composed and arranged 200 Macedonian folk dances… He has amazed audiences with his virtuoso solo clarinet performances not only of various Macedonian folk dances, but also of classical music by Mozart, Cavallini, Wagner… His authenticity feeling for style, brilliant invention, highly gracious in all registers colour and sovereign virtuosity made his performances to sound unique and unimagined magnificently... In the area of artistic imagination and power of creative improvisation, Ognenovski developed his rare talent. He combines beautiful tone with unique technique… He is maestro of improvisation and creativity; he starts with a motive, a theme, and then develops a complex instrumental content…  In his performances he demonstrates fascinate invention and virtuosity…  Tale Ognenovski has demonstrate his rich talent performing with all three different folk music orchestras of Macedonian Radio Television: “The Folk Music Orchestra”, the “Chalgii” orchestra and “The Authentic Folk Instruments Orchestra”... From him, how to preserve creative perfection in folk musical reproduction learned, learn, and will learn numerous folk instrumentalists…”

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