Tale Ognenovski, Genius of the  Clarinet with Macedonian Ensemble "Tanec" in Germany from August 15 until October 27, 1956

ENSEMBLE 'TANEC' IN GERMANY

1. Tale Ognenovski, clarinet and pipe virtuoso soloist with Ensemble 'Tanec' toured Germany in 1956

Tale Ognenovski, clarinet and pipe virtuoso with Ensemble 'Tanec', toured Germany from August 15 until October 27, 1956. The Ensemble performed 72 amazingly successful concerts in many towns, including Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Bonn, Gottingen, Munich and Wiesbaden, and every performance was a sell-out. As part of their tour of France in 1959, they performed two concerts in Dortmund, Germany on September 18 and 19, 1959, playing to an audience of 7000 on each occasion.

Tale Ognenovski performed as a virtuoso clarinet and pipe ("kavalche") soloist
The majority of the programme of Ensemble Tanec's German tour comprised of Macedonian folk dances and songs with the rest made up of Serbian and Croatian dances and songs and one Albanian dance. Tale Ognenovski played as virtuoso clarinet and pipe ("kavalche") soloist for most of the programme, in particular in the Macedonian folk dances 'A Bride's Dance (Nevestinsko Oro)', 'Chupurlika', 'Shopska Podripnuvachka', 'Kopachka', 'The Shepherd's Dance (Ovcharsko Oro), 'Soborski Igri', in Macedonian songs, Serbian folk dances and songs and 'SHOTE', an Albanian folk dance. Tale Ognenovski was a virtuoso clarinet soloist in 'Shopska petorka' but also an arranger of the music because he added his own improvisations in some areas of the dance. This is the case with other dances that Tale Ognenovski performed as virtuoso clarinet and pipe soloist.

2. "I'll never forget...the man with the pipe (the virtuoso pipe soloist was Tale Ognenovski - remark made by
      Stevan Ognenovski)..." - the Hildesheim press, Germany

"The folklore Ensemble 'Tanec' has performed in Germany during the past few weeks. They are receiving an enthusiastic welcome everywhere. For example, the 'Hildesheim press' published an article entitled "Tanec, the magic word from the Balkans". This contained amongst other comments, "Macedonia, Dalmatia, Croatia and other parts of Yugoslavia are living as one with these dances, songs and music, and all of it is as natural and live as if it were being danced in the middle of the village in the country of these young men and women. This National Ballet, the top Ensemble in the country, have shown us only excellence, politeness and complete perfection. I'll never forget the difficult Macedonian dance from Macedonian shepherds,  the Croatian dance, the bagpipers and the man with the pipe (the 'man with the pipe' is Tale Ognenovski, since he played folk dances on both the clarinet and the pipe ('kavalche') - remark made by Stevan Ognenovski), the small singer and the drum. But here we don't discuss details. In reality they each put on wonderful separate performances. Every dance and song has great impact and is rewarded with extraordinary amounts of applause. 'Tanec' in Yugoslavia means dance, and at the same time it is a magical word from Yugoslavia." This article entitled 'Great success of Tanec in Germany' appeared in the newspaper 'Nova Makedonija' on October 21, 1956.

3. "Success of Tanec in West Germany" - Nova Makedonija

"Bonn, October 2.
Yesterday evening, during their three-month cross-country tour of West Germany, the Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs 'Tanec' performed a successful concert in Bonn Town Theatre. Even though Ensemble Tanec is the third Ensemble to perform in this theatre in the last 18 months, every seat was full. Present in the audience were the Mayor of Bonn, many prominent politicians, diplomats and domestic and foreign journalists. The Ensemble performed songs and dances from Macedonia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The audience heartily welcomed the performers, asking for the entire programme to be performed again. Bonn's newspapers are full of numerous compliments as to the artistic quality of the concert. During this tour the Ensemble has visited almost all the larger towns in West Germany and also many tourist towns." This article, entitled "Success of Tanec in West Germany" appeared in the newspaper 'Nova Makedonija' on October 30, 1956.

4. "The folklore experts were interested in our particular folk dances... perhaps the following can stand out as the
      most successful: "SHOPSKA" (Shopska podripnuvachka - the virtuoso clarinet soloist was Tale Ognenovski -
      remark made by Stevan Ognenovski), "SHOTE" (the virtuoso clarinet soloist was Tale Ognenovski - remark
      made by Stevan Ognenovski)..." - Nova Makedonija

"On the 29th of this month, Ensemble Tanec returned from their tour of West Germany, where they performed 72 concerts in places and towns. All the concerts were sell-outs.... Jonche Hristovski, a member of Ensemble Tanec said, "We had 17 to18 rounds of applause and we went back on stage. We had particularly great success in the larger cities such as Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Gottingen and Munich. For instance, in Frankfurt the audience wouldn't leave us after the show ended and they asked for the entire programme to be repeated. The folklore experts were interested in our folk dances, in the rhythm of the folk dances and songs, the richness of the folk costumes and especially our authentic folk instruments. Our shows received a warm welcome from the public. Audiences were amazed by the choreography and the different styles of folk dance, and their individual rhythm flow. Perhaps the following can stand out as the most successful: "SHOPSKA " ('Shopska podripnuvachka' - In this Macedonian folk dance the virtuoso clarinet soloist was Tale Ognenovski - remark made by Stevan Ognenovski), "SHOTE" (In this Albanian folk dance the virtuoso clarinet solo was played by Tale Ognenovski - remark made by Stevan Ognenovski), "VRLIKA" and "SOBORSKI IGRI" (In these Macedonian folk dances, the virtuoso clarinet soloist was Tale Ognenovski - remark made by Stevan Ognenovski)..."
Olga Pesic, a member of the Ensemble, has commented: "During the entire tour, Ensemble Tanec has had the warmest welcome everywhere... Compliments, and also some photographs from the performances, have appeared in the newspapers of every town where we have staged a concert. In every town, tickets for the concert were completely sold out before the day of the performance, especially so in Munich, where the tickets were sold out 15 days before.
Perhaps our biggest success was at the concert performed in Bajrot, the famous musical centre of West Germany..." The above words appeared in an article entitled "After the return of "Tanec" from their German tour - The biggest success until now," in the newspaper 'Nova Makedonija' on October 31, 1956.

5. "About 7000 people at each of the two concerts in Dortmund" - K. Gavrish, NovaMakedonija

"...Ensemble 'Tanec' performed two concerts in Dortmund. At the beginning of these concerts about 7000 people were present..." These words appeared in an article written by K. Gavrish and entitled, "Following the return from their French tour, TANEC wins over the audience" and published in the newspaper 'Nova Makedonija', Skopje, Republic of Macedonia on December 6, 1959.

This is the story of one of the most extraordinary figures in the history of world music.

Tale Ognenovski is the greatest clarinetist, reed piper. zourlist and small bagpiper of all time. He is one of the Greatest Composers in World Music. He performed as virtuoso clarinet and reed pipe soloist with Macedonian Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs “Tanec” in North America (66 concerts in 53 different towns, from January 22, 1956 till April 12, 1956): Carnegie Hall, New York, on January 27, 1956; Boston, Massachusetts (Symphony Hall, January 31, 1956); Chicago, Illinois (Chicago Civic Opera House, February 4 and 5, 1956); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Academy of Music, February 7, 1956); Washington, D.C. (Constitution Hall, February 9,1956); Baltimore, Maryland (Lyric Theater, February 10, 1956); Denver, Colorado (Auditorium Arena, March 4, 1956); San Francisco, California (Opera House, March 7 and 9, 1956); Los Angeles, California (Philharmonic Auditorium, March 12, 13 and 14, 1956); San Diego, California (Russ Auditorium , March 19, 1956); Houston, Texas (City Auditorium, March 28 and 29, 1956); New Orleans, Louisiana (Civic Theatre, April 1, 2 and 3, 1956); Atlanta, Georgia (Tower Theatre, April 5, 6 and 7, 1956); Toronto, Canada (Massey Hall, February 13, 1956); France (83 concerts in 58 towns and cities in France including Paris, Le Havre, Nantes, Poitiers, Clermont-Ferrand, Lille, Cherbourg, Toulon, Toulouse, Rennes, Bourges, Chaumont, Solon de Provence, Laval, Brest, Lorient, St. Nazaire, Angers, Tours, Limoges, Pont a Mouson, Bourgen Brest, Belfor, St Entienne, St Brieuc, St Malo, Vendome, Gien, Orleans, Niort, La Rochelle, Marmonde, Mont de Marson, Dax, Tarbes, Agen, Albi, Pau, Carcassonne, St Gaudens, Beziers, Perpignan, Arcachon, Nimes, Grenoble, Lyon, Villeurbone and Gueret, from September 20 until November 25, 1959), Germany (72 concerts in many towns, including Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Bonn, Gottingen, Munich and Wiesbaden, from August 15 until October 27, 1956), Switzerland (4 concerts in Berne on July 7 and 8, 1959 and in Geneva on July 9 and 10, 1959)...
He had performances broadcast on television with Ensemble “Tanec” on one of the most popular television programmes in the United States, the Ford Foundation TV Programme “Omnibus” (Producer, Robert Saudek) on CBS (Columbia Broadcasting System) Television Network, on January 22, 1956, on French Television on September 20 and 21, 1959, on Swiss Television, on July, 1959…
Parts of the articles in the newspapers which are related for performances of Tale Ognenovski as virtuoso clarinet and reed pipe soloist with Ensemble “Tanec”:
“The Yugoslav National Folk Ballet “Tanec”, which has been touring Europe with great success, made the reason quite clear last night in a performance at Carnegie Hall that was a joy and delight...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”
“…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.
“ ...The Yugoslav National Folk Ballet, which spent the week-end in the Civic Opera house, is a fair sample...Called Tanec, which is the Macedonian word for dance, this group of 37 dancers, singers and musicians is a kaleidoscope of the Balkans, …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.
“…there was a remarkable precision in both dancing and playing…Clarinet bass fiddle, violin, drums, guitar and flute provided most of the accompaniments in various combinations... “ written by Samuel Singer entitled “Yugoslav Ballet Visits Academy”. It appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer on February 8, 1956.
“…Anyone watching the Yugoslav National Folk Ballet last night in Constitution Hall could have guessed without any difficulty the major emotions and situations involved in the dancing…A Sopska Poskocica is devised to show the girls how handsome and wonderful and brilliant and exciting and sensational their man friends are. It does. The rate at which it is danced, and the tremendous energy and precision of six men who dance it, is unique and demanded a repetition... “ written by Paul Hume and entitled “Yugoslav Dancers Shoot the Works”. It appeared in The Washington Post and Times Herald on February 10, 1956.
“…The single appearance here, sponsored by International Artists in association with Charles E. Green and Lee V. Eastman, brought a capacity audience to Massey Hall... Last night Torontonians had an opportunity to access Tanec, the Yugoslav National Folk Ballet, first artistic export from there, currently on a whirlwind tour of Canada and the United States. …The first impression, however, must be one of rhythmic precision... Nor was the performance without spectacle... This was often a fitting part of the interpretation in a larger dance scheme, but in the case of one dance, Sopska Poskocica it was no more than a show-off dance. As such it was highly effective with its leaps and other strenuous choreography... The music, whether for singing or dancing, had the same spontaneous folk quality and an exotic character...” written by John Kraglund, entitled “Music in Toronto”and appearing in The Globe and Mail on February 14, 1956.
“… the first local appearance of “Tanec,” the Yugoslav National Folk Ballet last night in the Opera House. “Tanec” (the world actually means “dance” in Yugoslavian) is actually a highly trained group of professional folk dancers and musicians who have taken the folk songs and dances of Macedonia, Bosnia, Serbia and all the six republica of Yugoslavia and made a very colorful and musically exciting show out of them…The music itself - including several indigenous instruments - is worth the price of the show, and never more so than in a number titled simply “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.
“ The Yugoslav National Folk Ballet - known at home as Tanec - excited a large audience, seemingly principally composed of fellow countrymen, in the Philharmonic Auditorium last night. The engagement continues through tonight and Wednesday. For authentic folk dancing, wild and free and yet subject to its own intricate disciplines, this group would be hard to beat. It numbers over 30 dancers, singers and musicians and they do the dances of Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia, Herzegovina and Albania in native costumes with superb vitality and style…” written by Albert Goldeberg, title “Yugoslav Folk Ballet Opens Engagement”, Los Angeles Times, March 13, 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.
Tale Ognenovski was a virtuoso clarinet soloist in Sopska Poskocica but also and arranger of music because he added his own improvisations to more parts of the dance. This has also been the case with other dances where Tale Ognenovski has performed as virtuoso clarinet and reed pipe soloist.
“Everyone in the audience applauded as if they were four people, and the Macedonian National Ballet left a great impression in Bourges... Tanec is the name of this group who have won over the audience. The quality and talent of this group is admirable...This is the first time that they have performed in France... At the end of their concert, the members of Ensemble 'Tanec' remained on stage and were applauded by the Bourges audiences for more than qoute of an hour.” The above comes from an article, entitled “Hier soir au GRAND-PALAIS BRILLANTE “PREMIERE” des Ballets de Macedoine” (”Yesterday evening in GRAND-PALAIS Brilliant first performance of National Ballet of Macedonia.”), that appeared in the newspaper 'Le Berry Republicain' in Bourges, France, on September 24, 1959.
“The first performance of the National Ballet of Macedonia was a tremendous success. Everyone in the hall applauded with enthusiasm, here in the 'Grand Palais' in Bourges at the first performance in France of the National Ballet of Macedonia... The first performance in Bourges was a spectacle...The members of the National Ballet of Macedonia arrived four days ago in Paris and have been shown on television...” This is from an arcticle entitled “Hier soir a Bourges, La “premiere” nationale des Ballets de Macedoine a remporte un enorme succes” (Yesterday evening in Bourges, The first national Ballet of Macedonia achieved tremendous success.”). It was published in the newspaper “La nouvelle republique du Centre”, Bourges, France on, September 24, 1959.
“Everyone who went to the concerts by Ensemble 'Tanec' in Paris and other towns and cities in France during the tour in 1959 of a little over two months was fascinated. Yes, audiences opened wide their hearts and didn't think anything of their hands while applauding your folk dancers. What 'Tanec' is playing in the spirit of Macedonia, believe me no other Ensemble in the world can perform. All great professional Ensembles in the world possess something special. Your girls and boys put their whole heart into the dance, and a prime example of this was the clarinetist Tale Ognenovski...” “ said Raymond Guillier (Director of his own company, 'Les grands spectacles internationaux Les productions Raymond Guillier, 129 Boulevard Massena - Paris”) Manager of international exhibitions in Paris, France…” The above appeared in an article entitled 'Your dance fascinates me,' written by M. Georgievski, and published in the newspaper 'Vecher', Skopje, Republic of Macedonia on September 14, 1964.
Tale Ognenovski received numerous awards and honours, all amongst the most prestigious in the world of performing arts. The most significant awards were:
1.) First Award Clarinet as the best clarinetist at the First Macedonian Festival of Folk Dances and Songs, Skopje, October 6-10, 1948, ahead of musicians from 453 folk dance groups. “The First Award Clarinet was received by Tale Ognenovski from Bitola…” appeared under the title “Awards received by choirs, folk dance and song groups, solo singers and players who participated at the first Republic of Macedonia Festival of Folk Dances and Songs”, published in the newspaper “Nova Makedonija” on October 13, 1948.
2.) First Award at the Yugoslav (Former Yugoslavia) Folk Music Festival in Opatija, Croatia , September 9-12, 1951, together with 11 other members of the folk dance group from the Bitola village of Nidzopole, ahead of 85 folk dance groups from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia, Macedonia and Croatia. In the cultural newspaper “Kulturni radnik” Number 10-11, published in October 1951 in Zagreb, Croatia, Dr. Vinko Zganec wrote, under the title “Yugoslav Musical folklore at the Festival in Opatija”, “the clarinet (the virtuoso clarinet soloist was Tale Ognenovski) and the large drum provided a most effective combination for the folk dance from Kozjak, as did the clarinet with the small drum for the folk dance “Teshkoto” from Nizhopole. The Yugoslav Folk Music Festival in Opatija had been specially arranged for the members of the Conference of the International Folk Music Council. “...We were privileged to see and hear for ourselves the beauty and variety of Yugoslav folk art at the wonderful Festival which had been especially arranged for the members of the Conference...there were moments during the Festival performances when we could recognize the magic of song and dance...an astonishing pageant of costume and custom, of ritual and social dance, of songs and instrument playing by 700 performers...” These comments appeared under the headings: “EDITORIAL” and “SOME IMPRESSIONS OF THE YUGOSLAV CONFERENCE AND FESTIVAL”, published in the Journal of the International Folk Music Council, Vol. IV, pages 1-2, London, March, 1952.
3.) “Estradna nagrada Jugoslavije” (”Yugoslavian Stage Award”), the greatest award in former Yugoslavia for musical stage artists, from the Association of Stage Artists of Yugoslavia, (signed by the composer Miljenko Prohaska), Zagreb, Croatia, October 31, 1978.
4.) “Pochesna Estradna Nagrada na Makedonija” (”Macedonian Stage Award with Honours”), the greatest award in the Republic of Macedonia for musical stage artists, from the Association of Stage Artists of Macedonia, (signed by Bozhidar Noev), Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, May 27, 1996.
In December 1952, Tale Ognenovski played a solo clarinet accompaniment with the outstanding pianist Nino Cipushev. They performed the classical concert “Concert Polka for Clarinet” by Miler Bela in the “Police House” in Skopje with great success. Miler concert consists of complicated parts that demand great virtuosity, and many cadenzas that are difficult to perform. Tale Ognenovski performed this concert magnificently, and in doing so became the first clarinet soloist to perform a classical concert for the clarinet in the Republic of Macedonia. This was a memorable event in the history of music of the country.
He was Head of the “Folk Music Orchestra” of “Macedonian Radio Television.” He performed as clarinet soloist in concert broadcast on Macedonian Television: Mozart's 'Clarinet Concerto in A Major K.622,' Wagner's 'Adagio for Clarinet' (1987) and Cavallini's concert 'Fiori Rossiniani' (1970). He has composed and arranged 150 Macedonian folk dances, one classical concert “Tale Ognenovski Concert for Clarinet No.1”, and many Jazz compositions. Some of his compositions are recorded on 11 LPs, 11 cassettes, 10 gramophone records, and one videotape (RTB, Jugoton, RTS and MRT).
The US CD-album under the title, “Jazz, Macedonian Folk Dances and Classical Music,” is confirmation that Musical Genius Tale Ognenovski is the greatest clarinetist, reed piper, zourlist and small bagpiper of all time, demonstrating unique skill, a wealth of invention, amazing improvisational virtuosity, and outstanding musical competence in all areas of music. The Audio CD includes 3 Jazz compositions (all composed by Tale Ognenovski), 6 Macedonian folk dances (all composed by Tale Ognenovski and classical music (composed by Tale Ognenovski). This album is the best instrumental album of all time. Accompanying him are members of his Orchestra: his son Stevan Ognenovski (drum (”tapan”) - all tracks and reed pipe - tracks 1, 8 and 9) and grandsons Nikola Ognenovski (reed pipe - tracks 1, 8 and 9) and Kliment Ognenovski (reed pipe - tracks 1, 8 and 9). Record label: Independent Records
Amazon.com CD Reviews
Totally Different and Mesmerizing
“…All selections are written by Mr. Ognenovski. This album crosses all of the above genres with finesse. A don't miss, feel good recording. Check out the drums. Tops my list of jazz recordings,” Will Grandy, Amazon.com Reviewer from Canada.
Undisputed King of the Macedonian Clarinet
“…Tale Ognenovski is an undisputed leader and innovator of Balkan style improvisational jazz on the clarinet… Tracks 1, 2 & 3 are called “Tale Ognenovski Jazz Compositions No. 1, No. 5 & No. 8.” The first reminds me of American jazz, such as played by Bennie Goodman & his band in the 1940s. Gradually, in a very fluid fashion, the music changes to Macedonian tunes and melodies. No. 5 & No. 8 have exotic musical phrases that only a master musician can create on a Balkan clarinet. My favorite tunes are the folk dances which demonstrate his innovative skills using the minor musical scale, unique rhythms and melodies that predominate in the Balkans. The titles of the tunes, “Brusnichko Oro”, “Nevenino Oro”, “Bukovsko svadbarski oro”, “Talevo kasaspsko oro” ... sound as mysterious and enticing as the music itself…”Tale Ognenvovski Concert for Clarinet No. 1”, is an amazing musical labyrinth, an extravaganza of magnificent proportions and dimensions. Although it lasts about 29 minutes, there is nothing boring or repetitive within the entire musical fete. It is a meditative exploration on the clarinet of a new musical form, a fusion of modern Westernized jazz improvisations with ancient Balkan rhythms and melodies…” Erika Borsos, Amazon.com Reviewer from USA.
Slammin'
“The feel on this set truly eased me&made me feel all the instrumentation from start to finish.the pipes were on point&had a rhythm that moved&grooved to me.the drumming was tight as well.together with His Son&Grandkids Tale leads the way on this Tightly Blend of Different musical styles&bring them all together as one.the kind of music on a Mellow Summer day that truly hits the spot.even though Tale Ognenovski is the Composer&is Leading the way to Quote Sly&The Family Stone this is truly a “Family Affair”.Highly Enjoyable.” Maximillian Muhammad, Amazon.com Reviewer from USA.
MusicWeb (UK) CD Review
“...The clarinet playing of Tale Ognenovski is much celebrated in his part of the world but he also toured in the west many years ago and even performed at Carnegie Hall. He is undoubtedly an exceptional artist and the predominant image created in my mind is of Benny Goodman playing the superb Contrasts he commissioned Bartók to write for him, but with a folk rather than a classical emphasis. All the pieces are credited as being written (arranged?) by Ognenovski...” Neil Horner
MuzikReviewz.com CD Review
“I hope you are prepared for a cultural shock, with Tale Ognenovski and his family. Ognenovski family comes from Balkan, Macedonia, country that was part of Ex-Yugoslavia and has a border with Greece. Macedonia is rich with culture and history, beauty of a nature and people. Tale Ognenovski did an outstanding work with combining two different music worlds, so that he could give the listener bigger and broader appreciation for Oriental culture, which is many times misunderstood and judged by Western people. He built a magnificent bridge in mixing Oriental and Western music, with jazz, classical and folk dance music. To do something like that Tale Ognenovski used clarinet as main instrument in all his compositions. He also used instruments such as reed pipe, small bagpipe, zourla and drum, which are present in Oriental Music. Tale’s work is a great art and his music has heart and soul in it. You can feel it and it will touch you the way you will not expect...” written by Suzana Brathwaite
“Like his other clarinet works the”Tale Ognenovski Clarinet Concerto No.1” (from US CD-album entitled, “Jazz, Macedonian Folk Dances and Classical Music”) is composed with the end result of expressing his own amazing virtuosity in mind.. All registers of the clarinet find eloquent expression in this concert. With this classical concert Tale Ognenovski, a creative musical genius continues the river of great beauty that is classical music. He marks of final perfection and maturity. The Tale Ognenovski's Clarinet classical work is far more than on exposition of the clarinet's tonal qualities, and his clarinet technical possibilities, which the composer Ognenovski, had already explored and approved in his compositions of Macedonian folk dances. It is also a display of imaginative power, colorful, almost romantic emotion, and sensitive feeling. This concert is written with very creative and technically demanding solos and soloist for the clarinet requiring extremes in range, tonal control, technique and dynamic…,” written by Stevan Ognenovski, M.Sc. and published in the book entitled: “Tale Ognenovski Virtuoso of the Clarinet and Composer.” Publishing house is MATICA MAKEDONSKA, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. The book is published in both Macedonian and English.
“This Audio CD album is confirmation that Tale Ognenovski is the greatest clarinetist of all time in the World, demonstrating unique skill, a wealth of invention, amazing improvisational virtuosity, and outstanding musical competence, “ written by Sonja Stoilkovska and published in the newspaper “Dnevnik “ , Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, on January 31, 2002
“Tale Ognenovski is the greatest clarinetist, reed piper, zourlist and small bagpiper of all time, and one of the Greatest Composers in World Music...,” written by Mileva Lazova and published in the magazine “Makedonsko Sonce” , Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, on October 10, 2003, Title: “Macedonian Musical Genius Tale Ognenovski, the winner of “11 Oktomvri” award.”
Tale Ognenovski won top honors on October 11, 2003 at Macedonian Parliament as the Winner of 11 Oktomvri Award, the highest and the most prestigious national award in Republic of Macedonia.

Tale Ognenovski's recordings for Radio Television Belgrade, Jugoton and Macedonian Radio Television are unique compositions based on Macedonian folk music but in places influenced by oriental, jazz and classical music. His pieces have a highly complex pattern of rhythm and attractive melody that is incomparable with any other kind of music known today. Tale Ognenovski's contributions to world music are enormous. His remarkable music of consistently high quality is unique.

Tale Ognenovski is the finest exponent of clarinet playing. His performances are perfect and the sound he produces is a revelation in just how beautifully the clarinet can be played; from the lowest bass notes to pitches in his upper range, he maintains their timbre and purity. No one else can compare with his playing Macedonian folk dances, jazz and classical music on the clarinet. His delicate tonal precision, his ringing warmth, his musical and instrumental intonation and his technically demanding solos are a delight to listen to.

Tale Ognenovski lives in Skopje in the Republic of Macedonia. He has been playing the clarinet professionally for the past 67 years, from 1937 through to the present day. His clarinet is a 'Buffet-Crampon'; he uses Vandoren 5RV and 5RV Lyre Clarinet Mouthpieces and Vandoren Clarinet Reeds.

Tale Ognenovski has opened up new possibilities for the clarinet that no one could have predicted.

His virtuoso and complex compositions are both interesting and fascinating for people to listen to and to admire. He has made solo performances and recorded pieces with many orchestras. He has been featured in many televised concerts broadcast in Europe and United States. His unique style with the clarinet has earned him an international reputation. His genius is ably demonstrated through his musical interpretations, compositions and band leadership. His compositions and clarinet interpretations are some of the most spectacular in the world of music.

His legend will live forever. His music has become a large part of the lives of many people. His music has moved their souls and touched their hearts. Music, which will forever be played and forever be loved, has brought tears to their eyes and smiles to their faces.

His composition range, his virtuosity, and his originality with a clarinet have made him a brilliant cult hero, a genius in the musical world. He is a genius, a brilliant musician and a giant of music.

           Wave Audio Samples
W. A. Mozart: Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra, in A Major,  KV 622, soloist on clarinet Tale Ognenovski, accompaniment on piano by Tanja Shopova (35.56 sec, 197KB)
E. Cavallini: Concert "Fiori Rossiniani", soloist on clarinet Tale Ognenovski, accompaniment on piano by Ladislav Palfi (30.79 sec, 170KB)

R. Wagner: "Adagio for Clarinet", soloist on clarinet Tale Ognenovski, accompaniment on piano by Tanja Shopova (33.97sec, 188KB)
 
 
 

Amazon.com MP3 Downloads of Albums of Tale Ognenovski:

MP3 Albums:

Macedonian Clarinet Jazz Composed by Tale Ognenovski by Tale Ognenovski	Jazz, Macedonian Folk Dances and Classical Music by Tale Ognenovski	Mozart And Ognenovski Clarinet Concertos by Tale Ognenovski
MP3 Album	MP3 Album	MP3 Album

Tale Ognenovski plays Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K.622: Allegro    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9390xDUuPuU

Tale Ognenovski Jazz Composition No. 7 - Macedonian Jazz Clarinet Solo   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK4wLnpPlNw  

Ognenovski's performance is the most beautiful and the fastest performance of Mozart's clarinet concerto of all time.

NME.com feature on Breitkopf & Hartel including YouTube music video: "Tale Ognenovski Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A K.622 III. Rondo Allegro (final movt)" as selection from Breitkopf & Härtel, the world's oldest music publishing company. NME.COM is Web site of music magazine NME.

http://www.nme.com/video/id/gbUqKvpmPfU/search/Breitkopf%20&%20Hartel

http://www.nme.com/artists/breitkopf-and-hartel

Music Industry News Network – Music Events: Macedonian Clarinetist Tale Ognenovski - Jazz Musician Of The Day: April 27, 2010 At AllAboutJazz.com

http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=129695

Posted: 2010-04-27

Jazz Musician of the Day - April 27, 2010: Tale Ognenovski

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=54768

All About Jazz recognition: Jazz Musician of the Day - April 27, 2010 was announced at http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=54768 All About Jazz

All About Jazz is a leading jazz music website for enthusiasts and industry professionals based in Philadelphia in the United States.

Tale Ognenovski received All About Jazz recognition: Jazz Musician of the Day first time on April 27, 2009.

Valentina Gorgievska of the newspaper Spic wrote: "Macedonian Music Virtuoso Tale Ognenovski received second time All About Jazz recognition: Jazz Musician of the Day on April 27, 2010, the day of his 88th birthday... This is great recognition and for such recognition in the days when you were born, whether at that moment they were alive or deceased, received the other the most famous jazzers of all time - Benny Goodman, Miles Davis, Artie Shaw, Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and others. Article: "Tale Ognenovski - Jazz Musician of the Day", April 30, 2010, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.

http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=120961

AllAboutJazz.com Publicity News:  
Jazz Musician of the Day - April 27, 2009: Tale Ognenovski

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=34707

Jazz Musician of the Day: Tale Ognenovski

Posted: 2009-04-27

All About Jazz is celebrating Tale Ognenovski's birthday today!

Tale Ognenovski was born in the village of Brusnik near Bitola in the Republic of Macedonia on April 27, 1922. Tale Ognenovski is the greatest clarinetist, reed piper, zourlist and small bagpiper of all time, demonstrating unique skill... more Tale Ognenovski at All About Jazz

Article written by Valentina Gorgievska, entitled:  “At All About Jazz - The World's Largest Jazz Music Website - Jazz Musician Of The Day: Tale Ognenovski”, Vreme, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, July 6, 2009. http://www.vreme.com.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=6&tabid=1&EditionID=1749&ArticleID=117172

http://a1.com.mk/vesti/default.aspx?VestID=111214

Tale Ognenovski at Wikipedia – The Free Encyclopedia
"One of the most renowned Macedonian clarinet players is Tale Ognenovski, who gained worldwide fame for his virtuosity.”

Tour of North America and Carnegie Hall concert
The popularity of the Ensemble Tanec's music in Europe brought with it increasing press attention in North America before and during the tour of North America. The major newspapers  published articles:  

A copy of this programme may be viewed free of charge on a videocassette at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.

On the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS’ Internet Web site, http://catalog.loc.gov with Keyword = Ansambl za narodni igri i pesni Tanec is written:

Main Title: Omnibus. IV, vol. 15 / TV-Radio Workshop of the Ford Foundation; Producer, Robert Saudek.

Published/Created: United States: CBS Television Network, 1956-01-22

Library of Congress   http://lccn.loc.gov/88705799

The New York Times for Ognenovski's performances as reed pipe (recorder) player wrote "raucous and unforgettable pipe", Article entitled "Ballet: Yugoslav Folk Art; 'Tanec' Dancers Appear at Carnegie Hall in Display of Tremendous Skill",  written by music critic John Martin (January 28, 1956), and "dateless reed pipe", Article entitled "THE DANCE: FOLK ART; Group From Yugoslavia In Impressive Debut Learning vs. Magic No Macedonian Monopoly The Week's Events",  written by music critic John Martin, The New York Times. (February 5, 1956).

Allmusic's reviewer, Craig Harris, noted: "The only professional folklore ensemble in Macedonia, the Tanec Ensemble are dedicated to the preservation of traditional Macedonian music, dance, and costuming. Founded by the government of the People's Republic of Macedonia in 1949, the group has shared their musical heritage with audiences around the world for more than half a century, performing an estimated 3,500 concerts in 31 countries'... The ensemble reached their peak during the late '50s, when influential clarinet and pipes player Tale Ognenovski was a member..." "Biography of Ensemble Tanec"

"Venerable Carnegie Hall fairly vibrated as the audience blistered its palms in appreciation..." - By Robert Coleman,  New York Daily Mirror, January 28, 1956

   Ballet: Yugoslav Folk Art; 'Tanec' Dancers Appear at Carnegie Hall in Display of Tremendous Skill

For authentic folk dancing, wild and free and yet subject to its own intricate disciplines, this group would be hard to beat. It numbers over 30 dancers, singers and musicians and they do the dances of Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia, Herzegovina and Albania in native costumes with superb vitality and style … They are accompanied by a group of musicians consisting of a violinist, guitar and accordion players, a flutist, a clarinetist and double bass, though drums of different types are frequently involved, as well as a shepherd's reed pipe..." - By Albert Goldberg, Los Angeles Times,

THE DANCE: FOLK ART; Group From Yugoslavia In Impressive Debut Learning vs. Magic No Macedonian Monopoly The Week's Events

DANCE
BOUNCING BRIGANDS

Tour of France
Tale Ognenovski was virtuoso clarinet and reed pipe (recorder) soloist with Ensemble "Tanec" during their tour of France from September 20 until November 25, 1959. They performed 83 concerts in 58 towns and cities in France. The Ensemble twice had performances broadcast on television, on September 21 and 22, 1959.  20 million people would have seen them on the most popular programme on Television in France. Radio Paris recorded a 45-minute programme of Macedonian folk dances and songs. The first concert in France was performed on the stage of the Grand Palais in Bourges on September 23, 1959.

France press
Hier soir au GRAND-PALAIS BRILLANTE "PREMIERE" des Ballets de Macedoine - Yesterday evening in GRAND-PALAIS Brilliant first performance of National Ballet of Macedonia
"Everyone in the audience applauded as if they were four people, and the Macedonian National Ballet left a great impression in Bourges.... The quality and talent of this group is admirable... At the end of their concert, the members of Ensemble "Tanec" remained on stage and were applauded by the Bourges audiences for more than quarter of an hour..." - By Le Berry Republicain, Bourges, France. September 24, 1959.

Macedonian press

Tale Ognenovski in the books and encyclopedias:

Za Nasha Muzika (For Our Music);
Author: Dushko Dimitrovski; Publisher: BID "Misirkov" (1994), Republic of Macedonia; Language: Macedonian; ISBN 9989-600-01-5  - " The prodigy, however, is called Tale Ognenovski ... The impossible becomes possible: two, "usually non-complimentary" parallel-existing worlds of sounds - Europe - The Orient - are in Tale Ognenovski's music naturally brought closer together, understand each other and merge. Has Ognenovski's ingenuity in advance not done something that with the power of empirical palpability and outright proof, will convince us that Macedonia - with the power of both worlds of melodies being borne and present in her galaxy of sounds - is the one predetermined to play the role of a tonal catalyst for the future universal connection and natural mixing and circulation of the creative idea of East - West - East?" ( pp 114-116)

 Rough Guide to World Music Volume One: Africa, Europe & The Middle East;
Simon Broughton (Author), Mark Ellingham (Author), Publisher: Rough Guides; 2nd edition (February 7, 2000); Language: English; ISBN-10: 1858286352; ISBN-13: 978-1858286358 - "One of the few clarinettists to have performed successfully both with a calgia and in the more modern style is Tale Ognenovski, born in 1922 and one of the most influential musicians of the post-war era. He was a member of the Tanec group during the 1950s and lead clarinet of the Radio Skopje calgia. The composer of many tunes that have become standards, he is today the leader of his own group, and a master of the more Westernised style that become prominent in the 1940s and 50s. This is the style that still holds sway, and which is the basis for Macedonia's own new composed folk music." (pp 203)

 Tale Ognenovski Virtuoso of the Clarinet and Composer;
Author: Stevan Ognenovski, M.Sc.,  Publisher: Matica Makedonska, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia (2000); Language: Macedonian and English; ISBN 9989483124 ; 406 pages (format A4) - "Tale Ognenovski is one of the greatest instrumentalists and composers in the world of music. He made the connection between Oriental and Western Music. He has composed and arranged 150 Macedonian folk dances, one classical concert "Tale Ognenovski Concert for Clarinet No. 1" and number of jazz compositions. Some of his compositions have been recorded on 11 LPs, 11 cassettes, 10 gramophone records, and one videotape (RTB, Jugoton and Macedonian Radio Television). Tale Ognenovski's numerous musical works belong to different genres; together, his folk dances and classical and jazz compositions established the clarinet as an instrument capable of the highest range of expression in solo music. ... He is the greatest clarinetist of all time, demonstrating unique skill, a wealth of invention, amazing improvisational virtuosity and outstanding musical competence in all areas of music." (pp 6-9)

Lichnosti od Makedonija (Distinguished People from Macedonia);
Authors: Petar Karajanov, Hristo Andonovski, Jovan Pavlovski; Publisher: MI-AN (2002), Republic of Macedonia; Language: Macedonian; ISBN 9989-613-28-1 - "...Tale Ognenovski composed and arranged 150 Macedonian folk dances. With his performances with Ensemble "Tanec" at Carnegie Hall in New York City he received his first international success... (pp 233)

Britannica  Concise Encyclopedia;
2005 Encyclopedia  Britannica, Inc; Publisher: Toper and Media Print Makedonija, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia Language: Macedonian; ISBN 9989-165-12-2 - "Ognenovski, Tale - Clarinetist and composer, born in village Brusnik, Bitola. As clarinet and reed pipe virtuoso he reached international success with his performances with National Ensemble "Tanec". He composed hundred folk dances... " (pp 66, book 7)

ZNACHAJNI LICHNOSTI ZA BITOLA (DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE FOR BITOLA);
Authors: Lence Andonovska, Naume Gorgievski, Blagoj Nikolov, Trajko Ognenovski, Gordana Pesevska, Aneta Stefanovska, Svetlana Taleska, Publisher: NUUB “St. Clement Ohridski” – Bitola and Municipality of Bitola (2007), Republic of Macedonia; Language: Macedonian and English; ISBN 978-9989-2783-0-3 - "Ognenovski, Tale (1922), Macedonian clarinetist , one of the most important Macedonian folk musicians; belong to the line of the biggest instrumentalists and composers in the world music. He made the connection between the oriental and the western music and represents one of the biggest exponents of the composing for a clarinet. He has composed and arranged 150 Macedonian folk dances, one classical concert “T.Ognenovski concert for clarinet number 1” and many jazz compositions. Tale is one of the best representatives in playing of a clarinet with special technique, inventiveness and amazing improvisation virtuosity..." (pp 161-162)

Tale Ognenovski 

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p509257

"Tale Ognenovski is always  environed with love of his son Stevan Ognenovski and daughter in law Margarita Ognenovska." - Article written by Rumena Ravanovska-Tulbevska, entitled: "World Jazz Musician of the Day Tale Ognenovski", Tea Moderna, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, July 29, 2009.

Tale Ognenovski, Internationally Renowned Clarinetist on YouTube

Posted: 2009-04-12  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/news.php?id=33817

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

                                                         T H E  A U T H O R
  Stevan Ognenovski, Mag.Scient., Magister Scientiarum (Magister of Science in Computer Science)

      Born in 1948 in the village of Brusnik near Bitola, Republic of Macedonia.

EDUCATION
Stevan Ognenovski received his Diplom-Ingenieur (Dipl.-Ing.),  degree in electronics engineering (Graduate Engineer, Dipl.-Ing. - This degree is equivalent to a Master's degree (M.Sc.), Level 7.1  according to the European Qualification Framework (EQF) in 1974 and a Magister of Science (Magistar nauka/znanosti  - Level 7.2 or Level 8.1 according to the European Qualification Framework (EQF) degree in Computer Science in 1991, both from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Zagreb, Croatia. 

In 1994, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering changed its name becoming the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER).

 Awards 

1. Award for innovation from Iskra Delta, Ljubljana, Slovenia (November 28, 1986)
2. Recognition for successfully  participation in the National Competition of the “Society of mathematicians and physicians of Macedonia” in physic of the scholars of the secondary schools in Republic of Macedonia on May 8, 1966 in Skopje. 
3. Third Prize at the National Competition of the “Society of mathematicians and physicians of Macedonia” in physic (Area of Electricity and Magnetism) of the scholars of the secondary schools in Republic of Macedonia on May 14, 1967 in Skopje. 

Writer

He has written articles about the artistic works of his father Tale Ognenovski in the newspapers: "Nova Makedonija" (November 10, 1997), Dnevnik (2002), Vecher (October 7, 2002) and Utrinski Vesnik (October 7, 2002),  in the newsmagazines: "Denes" (on October 29, 1998 and on October 10, 2002), Makedonsko Sonce (November 15, 2002) and Makedonsko Delo (November 22, 2002).

Library of Congress information at

http://lccn.loc.gov/2003457521 and World catalog at

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