Miroslav Spasov

Biography

Miroslav Spasov, composer and music director, writes instrumental and interactive electroacoustic music. His works have been performed in festivals and solo concerts in Europe and North and South America. His works have been performed by the renowned Kreutzer Quartet (London), New London Chamber Choir, Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra (Czech Republic), Regina Symphony Orchestra (Canada), Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra, Freiburg Percussions Ensemble (Germany), Reconsil Ensemble Vienna, Ankara Woodwind Quintet (Turkey), SKAW Duo (UK), and soloists such as the violinists János Négyesy and Päivikki Nykter (USA), Sarah Watts (bass clarinet, UK), Michael Bell (piano, UK), Thomas Schon (bass clarinet, Austria), Leonid Peisahov (violin), and Nadezda Pozarickaya (piano), Canada, etc. Spasov’s Sabda Vidya No.2 for flute, tenor saxophone and live electronics was premiered at STAIM in Amsterdam and The Music House in Utrecht, Netherlands. His Enactions for bass clarinet and live electronics, was premiered at the ‘International Conference and Festival MuSA 2016 (IMWI) in Karlsruhe in 2016. Spasov has received several grants for creative work from The Canada Council for The Arts and Alberta Arts Council. Among other awards, he has received the 3rd Prize at the ‘Concours for New Music Compositions’ Ministry of Culture of Republic of Macedonia in 2015 for his Danzacalle for orchestra. His Metaanthropos/Evolutio 1 for flute and electronics, won the 1st prize in the International Computer Music Competition Pierre Schaeffer (1999), and his orchestra piece à gauche, à droite, en haut was awarded an honourable mention at the ‘10e Concours International de Composition Musicale de Besancon’, France in 2000. During his six-year long career as a music director, he conducted the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra (Czech Republic), Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra, Land’s End Ensemble (Canada), MRT Choir and Chamber Orchestra (N. Macedonia), MTR Big Band, and other ensembles. He has written several arrangements for a big band (jazz&pop) and worked as a classical music editor-producer for MRT – the National Radio and Television (N. Macedonia).

Spasov’s creative interests interlink: interactive music composition based on idiosyncratic interfaces and the application of chaotic attractors in realtime sound synthesis and sound processing; instrumental composition; jazz theory and reharmonization; and semiotics and cognition applied to creative processes.

Affiliations

Associate Composer, British Electroacoustic Network (BEAN) (2016–), https://britishelectroacousticnetwork.com/members/
(member of the International Confederation of Electroacoustic Music (CIME)
Associate Composer, Canadian Music Centre (CMC), since 2002; https://www.musiccentre.ca

Publications

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS 

Sonic Shinings, music for instruments and electroacoustic music, a  Solo Album released by the Composers Association of Macedonia (SOCOM), a member of the European Conference of Promoters of New Music (ECPNM), under the Grant by the Ministry of Culture of Rep of N. Macedonia (2019);

Attractors Library (v.3.0, 2020), MaxMSP Externals; Chaotic attractors for non-linear realtime mapping published under the GNU – GPL at Cycling 74’
https://cycling74.com/tools/spasov-attractors-library/

Idiosyncrasies for contrabass clarinet and electronics  (2019)
Composed under the Research Strategy Fund Grants from Keele University. It was premiered at the 3rd International Conference and Festival for Sensor Augmented Bass clarinet Research SABRE,  ZHdK (Zurich University of the Arts) – Konzertsaal, Zürich.
Released on Into the Depths –  Music for contrabass clarinet, CD & Digital distribution (iTunes): Cuillin Sound, 2020.  https://music.apple.com/gb/album/into-the-depths/1500307784;
http://www.sarahkwatts.co.uk/cd-shop.html

Dolce Armonia for bass clarinet and piano (2019). Commissioned by SKAW Duo Premiere: Rarescale with Antony Clare Concert, Sarah Watts (contrabass clarinet), Antony Clare (piano);  ArtsKeele &  Composers’ Fund PRS Foundation; Keele University Chapel, 7 June 2019;

Enactions for bass clarinet and live electronics (2016)
Premiere: Sarah Watts (bass clarinet) and M. Spasov (electronics)
6th International Symposium on Music and Sonic Arts: Practices and Theories, Hall of the Institut für Musikwissenschaft und Musikinformatik (IMWI), Karlsruhe , Germany.

Spasov, M. 2015. Using Strange Attractors to Control Sound Processing in Live Electroacoustic Composition. Computer Music Journal. MIT Press. Autumn 2015, Vol 39, No. 3;
https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/10.1162/COMJ_a_00313

Spasov, M. 2015. Mi Cantare for bass clarinet (score). Metropolis Music Publishers, Brussels, Belgium. ISMN 9790365069293, www.metropolis-music.com

EXTENDED LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

ARTICLES

Spasov, M. 2015. Using Strange Attractors to Control Sound Processing in Live Electroacoustic Composition. Computer Music Journal. MIT Press. Autumn 2015, Vol 39, No. 3

Spasov, M. 2011. Music Composition as an Act of Cognition: ENACTIV – Interactive Multimodal Composing System(Organised Sound, Cambridge University Press. 16/1, April 2011. pp.69-86.)

Spasov, M. 2011. Originality and Uniqueness of Artistic Research and Findings. Symposium Proceedings – Volume 2. 23rd International Conference on Systems Research, Informatics and Cybernetics, Baden-Baden, Germany. The International Institute for Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics (IIAS) Canada. ISBN 978-1-897233-25-2. pp.75-80.

Spasov, M. 2010. Creative Mapping – Strange Attractors and ENACTIV. Symposium Proceedings – Volume 1. 22nd International Conference on Systems Research, Informatics and Cybernetics, Baden-Baden, Germany. The International Institute for Advanced Studies in Systems Research and Cybernetics (IIAS) Canada. ISBN 978-1-897233-80-1. pp.92-97.

MUSIC SCORES

All his music scores are available for loan from the CMC (Canadian Music Centre)
https://www.musiccentre.ca/node/37680/biography

Mi Cantarefor bass clarinet (2015) (score). Metropolis Music Publishers, Brussels, Belgium. ISMN 9790365069293, www.metropolis-music.com , September 2015.

SOFTWARE

SPASOV, M. (2009 v1.0; 2010 v2.0; 2020 v.3.0): ATTRACTORS LIBRARY (MaxMSP Externals) for non-linear realtime mapping published under the GNU – GPL at Cycling 74’
https://cycling74.com/tools/spasov-attractors-library

SPASOV, M. (July 1^st, 2009 v01; 2010 v1.0; 2011 v2.0, 2015 v3.0): ENACTIV  – Interactive Multimodal Composition System, published under the GNU – GPL at Cycling’ 74’  
https://cycling74.com/tools/spasov-enactiv

COMPOSITIONS, PERFORMANCES

Electroacoustic Compositions

Idiosyncrasies for contrabass clarinet and electronics   (2018)
Premiere: Sarah Watts (contrabass clarinet) and Miroslav Spasov (electronics). 3rd International Conference and Festival for Sensor Augmented Bass clarinet Research,  ZHdK (Zurich University of the Arts) – Konzertsaal, SABRE Concerts, Zürich, Switzerland, 2 February 2019.

Enactions for bass clarinet and live electronics(2016)
Premiere: Sarah Watts (bass clarinet) and M. Spasov (electronics)
6th International Symposium on Music and Sonic Arts: Practices and Theories, Hall of the Institut für Musikwissenschaft und Musikinformatik (IMWI), Karlsruhe , Germany (MuSA, 1 July 2016)

Sabda Vidya No.2 for flute, tenor sax and live electronics (2014)
(Katerina  Bacevska, (flute) Ninoslav Dimov tenor saxophone)
Premiere: Imperial Hall, Macedonian Opera and Ballet, 5 April 2014

Strange Attractions for flute, clarinet, horn and live electronics 2012
Premiere: Ankara Woodwind Quintet (Turkey)
Festival Days of Macedonian Music 2012, 30 March 2012, Skopje City Museum, Skopje, R of Macedonia

This is me! - impro-mono-drama for voice and live electronics (2011)
(Software for performance: ENACTIV  – Interactive Multimodal Composition System)
Premiere: International Symposium on Music and Sonic Arts   (MuSA), 2 August 2010, Baden-Baden, Germany

Embodiments for bass clarinet and multi-channel live electronics (2008)  (20’). Grant from Canada Council for the Arts for Individual Musicians 2007-2008. Premiere: Sarah Watts, bass clarinet, M. Spasov, electronics, 22 October 2008, Lindsay Hall, Keele University

Etudes for Listeners for piano and multi-channel live electronics (2006) (15’)Premiere: Michael Bell (piano), 19 October 2006, Lindsay Studio, Keele, UK

Aphorisms for fixed audio media (2006)

The Best of All Worlds  (2004-2006) for computer-generated (stereo and multi-channel/8.1) audio media (based upon extracts from Voltaire's philosophical novel The Candide or Optimism , from 1759) 2004-2006 (37’). (Grant from Canada Council for the Arts for Individual Musicians 2004)

Metaanthropos/Evolutio 1 for flute and electronics (1998). Bernard Blery (flute), Rosza Centre, University of Calgary, April 25, 1999 (Canadian premiere) 1st prize, Second International Computer Music Competition Pierre Schaeffer in Pescara,  Italy, 1999

COMPOSITIONS FOR ORCHESTRA

Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra (2017)

Danzacalle for orchestra (2015)
Premiere: Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra; Zsolt Nagy (conductor)
Days of New Music Festival, (DMM, 2015)
Macedonian Philharmonic Hall, 9 April 2015. The performance is funded by the Macedonian Association of Composers  (SOCOM, 2015). (3^rd Prize at the ‘Concours for New Music Compositions’ organised by the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Macedonia in 2014-2015.

"…  à gauche, à droite, en haut …” for orchestra  (2000-2001)
Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra, M. Spasov (conductor), Ostrava New Music Days Festival 2001, Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra Hall - Ostrava, Czech Republic, August 29, 2001. (Honourable Mention, (Mention spéciale), 10e Concours international de composition  musicale de Besancon, France, September 2000)

Metaanthropos/Evolutio 2 for Chamber Orchestra, Regina Symphony Orchestra, Victor Sawa, (conductor), Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts in Regina, March 20, 2003 (Canadian Music Centre and SOCAN, Canada)

Areas for string orchestra  (10’) 1997
Macedonian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Le Fi Fi (conductor), Festival Days of Macedonian Music,  Skopje, Macedonia (March 1998)

Accents I and II for string orchestra
Chamber Orchestra of the Macedonian Radio Television (MRT), Angel Surev (conductor) MRT concert hall, April 26, 1994


COMPOSITIONS FOR CHOIR 

Echos for twelve-part mixed choir (SATB) a cappella (8’) 2010, Premiere: New London Chamber Choir, James Weeks (conductor) Festival Days of Macedonian Music (31 March 2010)   (broadcasted Macedonian Radio Television - MRT) and released on CD: Days of Macedonian Music 2010, SOKOM (www.socom.com.mk); New London Chamber Choir, Clemens Power (conductor), Wiltons Music Hall, London, 10 March 2013. 

COMPOSITIONS FOR CHAMBER ENSEMBLE

Dolce Armonia for bass clarinet and piano (2019). Commissioned by SKAW Duo Premiere: Rarescale with Antony Clare Concert, Sarah Watts (contrabass clarinet), Antony Clare (piano);  ArtsKeele &  Composers’ Fund PRS Foundation; Keele University Chapel, 7 June 2019;

Concerto for Percussion for five percussion players (2014)
(Conductor Bernhard Wolfe, Freiburg Percussions Ensemble, Imperial Hall,
Macedonian Opera and Ballet 7 April 2014)

Vesna Ayamafor string Quartet (2013)
Commissioned by Kreutzer Quartet, London
Premiere: Kreutzer Quartet, Westminster Theatre, Keele University, 20 November 2013

Mi Cantare! for bass clarinet, 2013, Thomas Schon (Reconsil Ensemble Vienna) Austrian Society for Contemporary Music, Vienna, Austria, Minifestival Österreich-Mazedonien, 7 June 2013

So Dance for two violins, International Festival of Song and Chamber Music Society, Canada and USA, János Négyesy and Päivikki Nykter, (violins), University of California at San Diego, March 2004

Voyage for violin, cello, and percussion, Land’s End Chamber Ensemble, M. Spasov (conductor), Rosza Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, October 26, 2001

Dream for voices and chamber ensemble (1998), Marija Muratovska (soprano), Svetlana Donkovska (soprano), Le Fi Fi (conductor), Chamber Orchestra of the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra, Daysof Macedonian Music, Concert hall of the Macedonian Radio Television, April 25, 2001, Received ‘Pance Pesev’ for the best composition performed at the Days of Macedonian Music Festival in 2000 by the Society of Macedonian Composers (SOCOM)

Variations for violin and piano (1997)
Leonid Peisahov (violin), Nadezda Pozarickaya (piano), International Ohrid Summer Festival, 1997

Wind Quintet for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon  (1997)
Skopje Wind Quintet, Days of Macedonian Music, Skopje, Concert hall of the Macedonian Radio Television, October 23, 1996

Quartz Figures for violin, bassoon and guitar (1994)
Martin Panteleev (violin), Svetoslav Pancev (bassoon), Emile Saev (guitar), Music and Earth International Competition for Composers and Performers, Museum of Minerals, Sofia, Bulgaria, April 22, 1995

Quintet for violin, clarinet, double bass, piano, and synthesizer (1991)
Sanja Suplevska (violin), Zoran Kuzmanovski (clarinet), Aleksandar Pop-Hristov (double bass), Jovica Karovski (piano), M. Spasov (synthesizer), Daysof Macedonian Music, Concert hall of the Macedonian Radio Television, October 30, 1991

Two Moments for violin and piano (1992)
Sanja Suplevska (violin), Elizabeta Micevska (piano), Music and Earth International Competition for Composers and Performers, Museum of Minerals, Sofia, Bulgaria, April 21, 1993

Trio Sonata for violin, viola and piano (1988)
Sanja Suplevska (violin), Blerim Grubi (viola), Valeri Stefanovski (piano), Days of Macedonian Music, Concert hall of the Macedonian Radio Television, October 21, 1990

Variations for Piano  (1998)
Kristina Angelovska, International Ohrid Summer Festival, Ohrid, July 25, 1988

Intermezzo for flute and piano  (1986)
Nikola Atanasov (flute), Jasminka Cakar (piano), Days of Macedonian Music, Skopje, Concert hall of the Macedonian Radio Television, October 1986

Suite for Piano (1985)
Gorjan Korunovski, Macedonian Cultural Centre, Skopje, April 12, 1986

COMPOSITIONS FOR SYMPHONIC BAND 

Just a Joke for symphonic band  (1998)
Symphonic Band of the University of Calgary, Jeremy Brown (conductor), Rosza Centre, University of Calgary, April 8, 1999

Software Download

FREE SOFTWARE DOWNLOADS:

ATTRACTORS LIBRARY v3.0 (2020)
(Mac OSX & WINDOWS)

Cycling ' 74 site: https://cycling74.com/tools/spasov-attractors-library/

Direct Download: DOWNLOAD