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Simon Bokman 2920 Taraval St. #1 |
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Simon Bokman 2920 Taraval St. #1 |
I was born in Kiev, Ukraine, began music lessons at age 9 – learning to play accordion. My first composition was for this instrument by age 11. I studied composition at Rimsky-Korsakov College of Music/ S-Petersburg/where my teacher was Galina Ustovolskaya, who was a former student of Dmitry Schostakovich. Since 1974 I’d lived in Kaliningrad, Russia taught at Kaliningrad College of Music theory of Music and Composition. My works have been performed in Kaliningrad; Moscow; Manchester, England; and San Francisco, CA, where I reside currently since July 7, 1998. As a composer, I always try and aspire to go by my own way.
List of Compositions
1. “Ode to the Romanticism: symphony in six compositions:
1. Three songs with the poetry of Tao Yuan-min for tenor and piano/in Russia/
2. Sonata for Piano in three parts
3. Sonata for viola and piano with metronome “ In Memory of the Teacher” in three parts
4. Sonata for bassoon, contrabass and piano in three parts
5. Two romances with the poetry of Michael Lermontoff for soprano and piano/in Russia
6. “Organgrinder” for baritone, viola and two pianos in two parts with the poetry of Adelbert fon Samisso/in GermanN.B. Each part of symphony might be considered as an accomplished, separate and self-sufficient piece of music. As a cycle itself, it has common dramatic composition and development.
2. Symphony “21 Century” for strings, flute, piano, percussions, soprano and chorus with the poetry of Andrey Bely/ in Russian, translated in English
3. “The Puppet Show”, opera-symphony according to play of Alexander Blok/in Russian, translated in English
4. “Secular Mass”, poetry by Nicolas Roerich in seven parts/ in Russian, translated in English
5. Sonatina “In the Memory of Igor Stravinsky” for piano
6. “Humoresques” for piano
7. Concertino for contralto, female chorus, clarinet, bassoon and piano in three parts; with Russian folks poetry
8. “Poogach’s Blood”, ballad for soprano, male chorus, oboe and piano
9. Arrangement Jasha Heifetz’t Transcription for Violin from George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess: “Sommertime”, and “ A woman is a Sometime Thing”; “Bess, You is My Woman Now”; “It Ain’t Necessarily So” for violin and big orchestra.
Testimonials
November 24, 1998
To Whom It May Concern:
I am very pleased to write this letter of recommendation for Mr. Simon Bokman. He is worthy of serious consideration for a position with your musical institution. I have known Mr. Bokman for 25 years.
I am writing to testify to his talent and creativity as a professional composer. As a composer, his music is emotional, unusual, and modern. He has composed many compositions of different kinds of music. His music has been performed successfully in England and at Author’s concerts in Russia.
I assert that Mr. Bokman should be given every opportunity to continue his work here in the United States. He is a good-natured person with an excellent sense of humor. He will be an asset to anyone who gives him an opportunity.
Sincerely,
Valery Gerfiev
July 25, 1999
Dear Simon,
I am writing you because my husband, Francois d’Albert died on May 24, 1999. I am sorry for this delay, but I was in school and did not look at all the papers Francois did not finish. He did address this envelope and was in the process of writing you. I was with him when we listened to your tape and we both said you are a genius in composition and know you must be very proud of your art. I will return all of your materials because I know the value of it and you need them to use in other places. We have friends from Russia who live near Washington D.C. and I will find the names and send it to you.
Please try to return the money orders to get the money back.
I will write back to you,
Beverly d’Albert
Curriculum vitae of Francois D'Albert
The Hungarian-born French-American Master Francois D’Albert (born in Gyor, Hungary) graduated from the Royal Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest with State Artist and State Professor Diplomas. Received his earned Doctor’s Degree from the Peter Pazmany University in Budapest. The world-famous concert violinist, composer and conductor Dr. D’Albert was Professor, Royal Irish Academy of Music, Dublin, Ireland; College de l’Assomption, Quebec, Canada; Sherwood Music School, Chicago. President, Board Chairman, Chicago Conservatory College (1959-78). Visiting Professor, Ball State University. Distinguished guest-professor, East-West University, Chicago. Community Professor, Governors State University. Artist-in-Residence, Olivet College, Olivet, Michigan. Founder, Irish National Music Festival, The “An Tostal”. Chairman, I.S.C.M., Chicago. President and Honorary Life Member, Chicago Artists’ Association. Publisher and Member of A.S.C.A.P. – New York. Founder-President, Mediterranean Institute, Budapest, Chicago and Athens. Doctor D’Albert has over 500 compositions and over 15 record albums released (R.C.A. Victor, Universal, Ikar, Columbia, B. & F., Rapsodia/Hungarical Pannonia and Coronet) to his credit. He has performed in over 7000 concerts in cities of the world. National Honorary Patron, Phi Beta. Recipient of the Americanism Gold Medal and Diploma, Medal of Honor, National Society, Daughters of American Revolution (1969), Honorary Life Member, Ady Society of Hilversum, Netherlands. Recipient of the Franz Liszt Academy-University’s two Golden Diplomas (1987-88), Budapest. Dr. D’Albert has been named permanent visiting professor, Eotvos collegium of the Eotvos Lorand University of Science (E.L.T.E.) of Hungary in 1989, Doctor’s Golden Diploma recipient, 1995. The maestro is Musical Director of the American Festival Orchestra, the Chicago Chamber Players, formerly of the Sherwood Symphony, Guest-Conductor Chicago Symphony Orchestra in Orchestra Hall, Chicago. Critics compared his playing in superlative terms – such as “he belongs to the Heifetz-Oistrakh class”, “another Fritz Kreisler”, “successor of Enesco”. He is listed in many Who’s Who in Europe and in America. Dr. D’Albert holds numerous violin and chamber music Master Classes in Greece and in the United States of America. His autobiography and Life story are in the planning stage in Athens by a Greek publisher and in his native Hungary. Since 1988 he has been concretizing in many cities of the world. In his world tours he has astounded audiences with his powerful technique and sensitive musicianship.
