December 18th, 2022 - 3pm / First Parish Brewster / guest pianist John Thomas

John Thomas presents “The Bulgarian & Ukrainian Piano: Tradition & Improvisation”, a brief musical tour of fascinating and diverse genres of folklore, composition and modern styles that traverse the mountains, plains and seas of two of eastern Europe’s most intriguing countries and cultures.

Bulgaria was virtually cloistered from the world, first during more than four centuries of Ottoman empire domination and later by more than 40 years of Communist political rule. As a result, its traditional folklore melodies, rhythms and harmonies retained the purity of their roots more than the music of any other country in the Balkans. Beginning in the latter part of the 19th century and for nearly one hundred years, Bulgaria’s “classical” composers often expanded their professional expertise through study in western European cultural centers. Their fusion of ancient village melodies and tonal sounds in nature with classical composition techniques created a unique cultural oeuvre of music that continues today in more modern and improvisatory forms.

John Thomas has been a well-known creative artist in Provincetown, Cape Cod and Boston for three decades. He is a concert pianist, music director, composer and actor. He is the producer of the Great Music on Sundays @5 concert series at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House of Provincetown. He was awarded a Bulgarian Fulbright Commission grant for study, research and performance for his project “Music without Borders: Bulgaria and America in Melody, Harmony and Rhythm”. He subsequently produced the video concert series “Music without Borders”, which was featured on Mindy Todd’s NPR program “The Point”.

John has been a guest keyboard artist with Cape Symphony several times, most recently in 2022’s “Joy4July” outdoor celebration in Hyannis. He has performed music in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico; Mykonos, Greece; and Kathmandu, Nepal. His recording “Composing Myself” is available on all online platforms. More information with links to YouTube videos at https://johnwthomas.com

Tickets at the Door: $15 for general public, Free for performers and children

Donations for this event are accepted via electronic payment (cards), and check. Please check out our Donate page to choose the best option for you: https://www.openmicclassical.org/donate

"This program is supported in part by a grant from the Brewster, Chatham, Harwich, Mid-Cape, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro Cultural Councils local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency." https://massculturalcouncil.org/