Ibryam Hapazov

Ivo Papazov's first solo LP

Ibryam Hapazov, with Petandûr Ralchev, Trifon Trifonov

Ivaylovsko horo
Bavna pesen i Haskovska rûchenitsa
Mariykino horo
Papazliyska rûchenitsa
Spasovsko horo
Chelekovsko horo

Bavna pesen i Stamboliyska rûchenitsa
Kolarovsko horo
Dûlboshka rûchenitsa
Kûrdzhaliysko horo
Iliykovo horo

Born on February 16, 1952 in the town of Kurdzhali, the son of a clarinetist, Ibryam Hapazov was destined for a musical career from his earliest years. An unfailing companion to his father at weddings and fairs, Ibryam used to listen to Krisha, the famous clarinetist at the time. How and when he began playing he himself cannot give an account of, yet he remembers that one day his father and other musicians heard him play and were stunned by his tone and interpretation. It was decided for sure – Ibryam would study in a children's music school with clarinet teacher Peter Philipov.

That was how the career of talented clarinetist Ibryam Hapazov began. Later he got interested in Petko Radev's style of performance in the field of Bulgarian folk music which he quickly mastered.

What is appealing in his performance?

This is before all the mood he imposes, the melodic devices and the specific intonations in his music. His improvisations are intricate, clear to the utmost and logical musical presentations. All this bears testimony to Ibryam Hapazov's talent and to his individual and original style of performance. Even the different timbres and dynamic nuances are part of his individual style. The fragments making up his solos are a proof of the high instrumental skill of this remarkable musician, for whom there are no limits to the clarinet performance (Chelekovsko horo, Kûrdzhaliysko horo, etc.). In the ensemble texture Ibryam stands out as an instrumentalist with a keen feeling for ensemble, completing the general sound with most appropriate dynamics and timbre (Kolarovsko horo, Iliykovo horo, etc.). The timbre coloring in his performance goes hand in hand with the phrase character of the horo he is playing and with dialect idiom typical of it (Bavna pesen i Haskovska rûchenitsa, Bavna pesen i Stamboliyska rûchenitsa, etc.).

Ibryam Hapazov is a musician whose playing is based on both tradition and invention on the spur of the moment and this is achieved by someone who plays his instrument without effort. His instrumental technique and talent of improvisation have been admired by many a famous musician. What Ibryam impresses with is his fluency in the different keys and registers of his instrument, in various rhythmic forms, in the long musical phrases. And all this is based upon the sound instrumental tradition of the Bulgarian folklore, without the introduction of foreign elements, motifs, or manner of performance. Probably this is the reason for his being one of the most sought-after and listened-to folk musicians in Bulgaria.

Significant is the contribution to the success of this recording of the orchestra soloists Petûr Ralchev – accordion, and Trifon Trifonov – saxophone, as well as of the arrangers Kosta Kolev and Dimitûr Trifonov. – Manol Todorov

Recorded at the studio of Radio Plovdiv in December 1983.