born on 11. VII. 1981 in Sofia, Bulgaria
alexandrafol@yahoo.com
B. Mus. in composition summa cum laude from Boston University, 2002. Master of Music in composition, Eastman School of Music.
Composition teachers include Gheorghi Arnaoudov, Julian Wachner, Richard Cornell, Robert Morris, and David Liptak.
Organ teachers include Julian Wachner, James David Christie, David Higgs.
Member of International Society of Contemporary Music, Golden Key International Honour Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honour Society, Published by Musica Publishing Company, Inc. since 2003.
Organ repertoire includes major works of Bach, Buxtehude, Sweelinck, Widor, Vierne, Guillmant, Duruflé, Crumb, and others. She has commissioned several pieces for organ solo by American composers.
EMPLOYMENT:
Organ Scholar at Marsh Chapel at Boston University September 2001 – May 2002. Sunday services broadcasted live on the WBUR radio station, FM 90,9, New England.
Organist at Webster Baptist Church, National Historic Monument, since September 2003.
Weekly Columnist for the Campus Times, University of Rochester's weekly newspaper, since September 2003.
Scholar of Open Society International Foundation, St. St. Cyril and Methodius International Foundation, Europa Antiqua International Foundation and the Trustees of Boston University.
Foreign languages: Bulgarian (native language), German, English, French, Macedonian (fluent); Russian, Serbian, Italian (working knowledge);
Extracurricular activities: Chess, Philosophy, Golf, Archery, Fencing, Soccer, Tae Kwon-do, Swimming.
CD RELEASES:
November 2001: “We praise Thee, O God” – Boston University Marsh Chapel Choir in concert. Scott Jarrett, Music director; Joshua Slater, conductor; Alexandra Fol, organ;
November 2001: “Requiem” – Alexandra Fol in concert. Alexandra Fol – composer and conductor; Boston University and MIT students orchestra; Standing Wave Audio Productions 2001.
December 2001: Marsh Chapel Choir Christmas CD; Standing Wave Audio Productions 2001.
April 2002: Alexandra Fol conducting Leonid Iogansen and Pierre Max Dubois; Standing Wave Audio Productions 2002.
PIANO AND COMPOSITION PRIZES:
1990 Extraordinary prize at the National piano contest for young pianists “Svetoslav Obretenov”, Provadia.
1991 Second prize at the International Competition for young pianists “Citta di Stresa”, Italy.
1994 First prize at the National Composition Contest “The child and the family”, organized by the papal nuncio in Bulgaria.
1994 One of the 12 composers-laureates of “The Second International World Children’s Music Festival”, Tachikawa, Japan.
1995 First prize at the First National Piano Contest “Dimitar Nenov”, Razgrad.
1998 Two Special prizes for two best performances at the International Piano Contest “Albert Roussel”, Sofia, Bulgaria.
1999 One of the 10 composers-laureates of the Young Artists Composition Program of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Massachusetts, USA.
IMPORTANT ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES:
Compositions performed in Bulgaria, United States, Japan, Germany and Spain. Alexandra Fol had been featured online in Culture Forum Online Magazine, on Boston University's International viewbook 2002, on Boston University's Admissions' website, and in numerous newspapers, including the Webster Post.
Soloist of “Ars Musica” chamber orchestra, Shoumen Philhamrmony orchestra, State Academy of Music Philharmony orchestra; Recitals in Bulgaria, Switzerland Spain and Germany; Piano Master classes, Composition Master class under the leadership of Prof. Rudolf Kelterborn within the frames of the festival “musicEXchange”, organized by “Soros” Center for the Arts, Sofia, Bulgaria. Commissions by “Hors” String quartet, Organizing commeettee of American Music Week in Bulgaria (three), private commissions for Concert piece for Clarinet solo, Viola Concerto, Violin and Trombone duet, etc.
1994: Two songs for voice and orchestra by Alexandra Fol performed by Tokyo Symphony Orchestra within the frames of the Second International World Children’s Music Festival in Tachikawa, Japan.
1999: Opening piano recital for the Bulgarian Cultural Days in Deggendorg, Bavaria, Germany;
1999: Piano Concerto by Alexandra Fol performed by Young Artists Orchestra on a reading in Tanglewood. Julian Wachner conducting, Alexandra Fol, soloist; 2000: Almost Bach – Toccata and fugue for chamber orchestra performed by a voluntary ensemble,
Boston.
2001: Violin Concerto by Alexandra Fol performed by Boston University Chamber Orchestra in Tsai Performance Center. Leonid Iogansen, soloist, Richard Cornell, conductor.
2001: Requiem for Mixed Chorus, Chamber Orchestra and Organ performed on November 10th. Boston University and MIT students orchestra. Alexandra Fol conducting.
2001: Participent in McGill Organ Academy in Montreal, Canada.
2002: One of five participents in the Stratford Summer Music Organ Academy under the leadership of Jean-Pierre Leguay. Concert in Knox Presbeterian Church, Stratford.
2002: Commission by St. St. Cyril and Methodius International Foundation for a Piano and clarinet duet to be performed in Carnegie Hall, New York, on 28. II. 2003.
MOST IMPORTANT COMPOSITIONS:
“Fairies and Spirits” – Ballet in 4 scenes (1993); “Clamour for inheritance” I and II – Two Trios for Two Violins and Piano (1993); “Little mouse”, “Why” – Two songs for Voice and orchestra (1994); “Music making for four” – Instrumental theatre for string quartet (1998); Piano concerto (1999), “Almost serial” for Violoncello solo (1999); Viola concerto (1999); “Soprano Ostinato” for Orchestra (2000); “First among the Romans” – Instrumental theatre for Orchestra in 4 scenes (2000), Septet “Challenge to Carter” (2000), Nonet for Percussion (2000), Violin and Trombone duet (2000), “An almost Bach – Toccata and Fugue” for Chamber orchestra (2000); Violin concerto (2001); Song for Soprano, Piano, Vibraphone, one Timpan and Triangle (2001); Three songs for organ and soprano (2001); Two songs for piano and alto (2001); Requiem for Mixed choir, Chamber Orchestra and Organ (2001); Symphony No. 1 (2002); “Forbidden memories” – Song cycle for Alto and quartet (2002); Viola Concerto No. 2. Second Viola Concerto (2002); "Cinderella" - Monodrama for Narrator and Orchestra (2002); "Funeral Song" - sextet for Flute, Bass Clarinet, Viola, Violoncello, Piano, and Percussion (2003); "In H - Paganini Variations" - for Violin and Percussion (2003)"
PUBLICATIONS:
The musical critic - destiny and classification. Music. Yesterday. Today. 6th issue, pages 20-30. Fol Al. 1997.
Genius and talent - essence and attitude. Music. Yesterday. Today. 6th issue, pages 27-31, 50-58. Fol Al. 1998.
I and the new millennium. AzBuki. 3rd issue, page 12. Fol Al. 1999
Fol Al. 1999. Statement concerning the “musicEXchange” festival. Musica Viva. 3th issue, page 5. Fol Al. 1999
Fol Al. 1999. Genius and talent - essence and attitude. AzBuki. 14 th issue, page 13 (reprint).
Fol Al. 1999. Democratic art? AzBuki. 42th issue, page 13.
Fol Al. 1999. The teacher - the person, who conducts. Zname. 83th (5482th) issue, page 2.
Fol Al. 1999 MusicEXchange 29 XI-5 XII. Musica Viva. 21st issue, page 5.
Fol Al. 1999 MusicEXchange 29 XI-5 XII (continuation from 21st issue). Musica Viva. 22nd issue, page 5.
Fol Al. 2000 To Boston and… forwards. Musica Viva. 36th issue, page 1, 12.
Fol, Al. 2000 Perspective. The Daily Free Press. Issue of Nov. 27th.
Fol, Al. 2001 “Style and un-style. Music. Yesterday. Today. 6th issue, pages 27-29, 35-39.
Fol, Al. 2002 “The Politics of the Artist”. Music. Yesterday. Today. 2nd issue, pages 64-74.
Fol, Al. 2002 “Dear Homeland, you are Paradise on Earth”. AzBuki. Issue 1, 2004
