Ivan Spassov

Ivan Spassov (1934–1996) was a groundbreaking Bulgarian composer, conductor, and music innovator known for his bold fusion of traditional Balkan folk motifs with avant-garde classical techniques. A graduate of the Sofia State Academy and Moscow Conservatory, Spassov became a pivotal figure in Bulgaria’s 20th-century music scene, serving as artistic director of the Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra and blending lush orchestral textures with experimental harmonies. His works, like the haunting *Canti dei Morti* choral cycles and his dramatic **Cello Concerto No. 2**, often carried a brooding, ritualistic intensity while celebrating his homeland’s musical roots. Though less known internationally, his genre-defying style left a lasting imprint on Eastern European classical music.

Genres

Experimental

Folk

Classical

Avant-garde

Contemporary Classical

Choral

Minimalism

Orchestral Music

Neoclassical

Latest Release

Spassov, I.: Choral Music

Ivan Spassov•

Vassilka Spassova•

Krikor Chetinian

Album - 12 Tracks - Released November 1, 2007