This recording is sensational. Tale Ognenovski arranged parts of the Mozart's clarinet concerto for two clarinets. The clarinet in standard performance is always accompanied by the Orchestra. In this recording the clarinet is accompanied by drum performed by his son Stevan Ognenovski or by drum and second clarinet (performed by Tale Ognenovski). Tale Ognenovski gives a splendid account of Mozart's most beautiful concerto. The full, wonderful sound of the modern A clarinet is rich and Ognenovski's playing is superb, with good tempo and intonation throughout. His sound is full and expressive, his phrasing is lyrical, his articulations clear, and his tone is beautiful. Tale Ognenovski's performance is the most beautiful and the fastest performance of Mozart's clarinet concerto of all time. Mozart's clarinet concerto is certainly one of the most beautiful works to emerge from the Classical era.

Musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27, 1756. Two hundred years later, on January 27, 1956, another genius of music, Tale Ognenovski, performed as a virtuoso clarinet and reed pipe soloist folk dances in the world-famous Carnegie Hall. Together, he and the other members of the Macedonian Ensemble 'Tanec' appeared at Carnegie Hall in a display of tremendous skill, which was a sheer joy to watch.

Tale Ognenovski Concert for Clarinet No. 1 is the most beautiful and the most difficult Clarinet Concerto of all time. Variety of phrasing, spectacular clarinet solos are both interesting and fascinating for people to listen to and to admire. Tale Ognenovski has opened up new possibilities for the clarinet that no one could have predicted. He 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. He is one of the greatest composers in the world of music.

'Tanec's American tour began with their debut on one of the most successful cultural magazine series in the history of U.S. commercial television, the Ford Foundation TV Program "OMNIBUS" (on CBS Television Network), on January 22, 1956. This program was seen by millions of Americans. During an 84-day tour throughout the United States of America and Canada, Tale Ognenovski with Ensemble 'Tanec' traveled 10,000 kilometers and performed 66 concerts in 53 different towns.  These concerts were heralded as great cultural events by the American press.

January 27, 2006, marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

  2005 Produced by Tale Ognenovski and Stevan Ognenovski

Release info
Release: MOZART and OGNENOVSKI Clarinet Concertos
Artist: Tale Ognenovski
Genre: Classical
Format: CD (Full Length)
Label: Independent Records
Catalog: IR 37223

Made in U.S.A. All rights reserved.

  2005 Produced by Tale Ognenovski and Stevan Ognenovski

Three CD Albums available at: CD Baby, Amazon.com, CD Universe, iTunes, The Orchard, MySpace Music…

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

Amazon.com Customer Reviews

MOZART and OGNENOVSKI Clarinet Concertos

By LAdave65 (Lake Forest, CA USA)

This review is from: MOZART and OGNENOVSKI Clarinet Concertos (Audio CD)

I must concur with my colleague, Michele Z., for her astute observations regarding Mr. Ognenovski's artistry. His subtle phrasing and amazing tone leave one breathless. Words cannot adequately describe the impression his recordings make. One must experience them to believe it. I can still hardly believe it myself. 
David Gilman, orchestral & solo clarinetist, Lake Forest, CA, USA

By H. Golden (Bavaria, Germany)

This review is from: MOZART and OGNENOVSKI Clarinet Concertos (Audio CD)

I must concur with my esteemed colleagues M. Zukovsky and H. Heinen. After wrestling with this masterpiece throughout my professional career as a principal orchestral clarinetist, I feel this interpretation, with all its nuanced phrasing, carefully placed dynamic innuendo and unmatched intonation is like a revelation. I can truly say that I have never heard a Mozart like this one. I doubt I ever will again. Any reader of this review should simply listen to the samples on this site to understand the depth of my new reverence for Mr. Ognenovski. I'll never be able to play the Mozart like this... try though I may. There are indeed great artists in this world that have been overlooked. One asks oneself why. Perhaps we should ask the artists themselves. I would also, by the way, suggest this recording to some of my percussion colleagues as a reference for sensitive and delicate rhythmic structure. Truly a once in a lifetime recording. I will forever be indebted to this astonishing clarinetist.

By AZRobert1 

This review is from: MOZART and OGNENOVSKI Clarinet Concertos (Audio CD)

Words cannot express my joy. I first heard this last year. It brought a whole new level of awareness to Mozart for me. Highly recommended!

By Julia M. Heinen (Los Angeles, CA United States)

This review is from: MOZART and OGNENOVSKI Clarinet Concertos (Audio CD)

Based on the recommendation of the wonderful clarinetist, Michele Z. I have to tell you that this is now my most favorite recording of the Mozart Concerto. I can only hope all clarinetists near and far will learn from this unique interpretation. Bravo Mr.Ognenovski, you've set a new standard. 
Julia Heinen, Professor of Clarinet, California State University, Northridge.

By zukovsky 

This review is from: MOZART and OGNENOVSKI Clarinet Concertos (Audio CD)

after hearing this great artist, i was absolutely dumbfounded. why, oh, why have i not heard this songbird before. his delicate and nuanced mozart was so inspiring that i fell into a reverie---it was a moment of bliss .. 
no other clarinetist can touch him. after having bought the cd, you will not be able to listen to anything else!! 
eat your heart out, karl leister. 
and bravo mr. ognenovski, for inspiring the world of clarinetists--- 
your minion, 
michele zukovsky 
1st clarinet los angeles philharmonic 
it is imperitive that every clarinetist buy and listen to this recording. phenominal....

By Erika Borsos "pepper flower" (Gulf Coast of FL, USA) (TOP 500 REVIEWER)      

This review is from: MOZART and OGNENOVSKI Clarinet Concertos (Audio CD)

This reviewer is familiar with the three B's of classical music: Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms and can distinguish their styles, one can *now* add a fourth "B" which stands for "Balkan" as played by Tale Ognenovski ... Mr. Ognenovski plays Mozart with his own inimitable personal style making the classical music take on mysterious and exotic characteristics and overtones. His virtuosity possesses special qualities related to the Balkan clarinet that would make even Mozart blush with pleasure. Strict classical music is not my overall favorite because the patterns of sound are too prescribed, quite similar sounding as played by most musicians. Not so with Ognenovski whose elegant virtuosity sets him apart, the distinct Balkan flavor and improvisations are extraordinairy and appealing to those who love a more free form fluid style. Music played on the Macedonian clarinet has a long and distinguished history and when it marries classical music: the outcome is superb. 
Ognenovski explodes with passion as he performs his own "Tale Ognenovski Concerto for Clarinet No. 1" ... The labyrinthine musical pathways he creates are enormously pleasing to the listener. The pentatonic scale and odd metered rhythms of Macedonia awaken the listener to new vistas of musical excitement and enjoyment. Anyone who loves jazz improvisation and the sounds of the clarinet will immediately recognize the superior creativity, breath control and complete mastery of this instrument as played by Mr. Ognenovski. It is no surprise that his music has been played on the radio and Mr. Ognenovski has appeared on the television in Macedonia during various occasions for the past 50 years. The music of the Balkans has stayed hidden too long, it deserves wider playing and world wide recognition. Perhaps on his third CD, Mr. Ognenovski will explore the realm of traditional music of Macedonia and share it with the world. His superior talent and expressive lyrical style leaves many possibilities for the future ... we who love clarinet music can only hope for another CD by this grand master. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Three CD Albums available at: CD Baby, Amazon.com, CD Universe, iTunes, The Orchard, MySpace Music…

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 

"Influential Clarinet and Pipes Player Tale Ognenovski" - All Music Guide

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

Back to the Tale Ognenovski Biography Page