Situated around the work of Assen Karastoyanov, the program of this album exemplifies true wonders of flute repertoire. Alongside the works by Karastoyanov, compositions by Fikret Amirov, Bela Bartok, and Ivan Bellocq are presented. Ivan Bellocq studied flute with Madeleine Chassang, Robert Bourdin, and Michel Debost, and composition with Olivier Greif. He has recorded almost a dozen CDs, and given countless concerts across Europe and the US. Bellocq’s composition featured on this recording, Slavic Suite, is a special delight. Of the piece, Bellocq writes, “I have set myself several challenges in writing this suite; firstly, to define a common ground between my habitual language and that of traditional popular music which inspired me. Secondly, to find a different manner than Karastoyanov and Amirov in organizing each piece, as well as the entirety they form. Hence, for example the harp and flute solos.”
