Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Music is my only muse, composer Mitko Shterev says

БНР Новини
Photo: BULFOTO

Renowned Bulgarian composer Mitko Shterev recently celebrated his 70th birthday with relatives and close friends who came to Bulgaria especially for his birthday. Mitko Shterev is author of some of the biggest Bulgarian evergreens like “Dusha,” “Severina,” “Utre,” “Esen,” “Priznanie,” etc. He is also the founder and leader of the Diana Express band. He is the composer of film music for over 30 movies like “Osadeni Dushi,” Adaptacia, “La donna E mobile,” and others. He has been given the award for “film music composer of the century.”



We asked the composer whether he felt changed and he sadly answered: I've changed a lot. I believe in the theory that man should develop their spirit and talents throughout their lives but I have changed a lot, both externally and internally and that bothers me.

Here's what he Mitko Shterev told us about the recipe for writing good songs and film music.

Music should be composed spontaneously, but the most spontaneous art for me is poetry. Not surprisingly, many poets, including P. Penev wrote some of their greatest works spontaneously, sometimes even on a napkin. I think music is spontaneous too, but when it comes to true professionalism the case is different. Sooner or later a composer undergoes changes and he does not rely on spontaneity but on a deeper thinking, especially when it comes to larger forms - such as film music, that contains about 25 fragments with different lengths – varying from 15 seconds to 3 minutes. A good composer should sort all the music in their head, to make it sound stylish. Film music must contain dramaturgy while writing a song is an emotion. One of the best songs of the Beatles ‘Yesterday’ was written by Paul McCartney in a single breath. It has its own internal dramaturgy, but everything is contained in two minutes and 45 seconds.

The only muse for a professional composer must be music,
says the great Bulgarian composer and adds:

Years ago I realized that a composer aged 55- 60 should look with optimism at the work of the youth. Young people see the world differently. Pop music is not elitist music and it is inextricably linked to fashion, politics, and economics. It is constantly changing, just like fashion. It is very difficult to make songs that are to remain hits for 30 or 40 years. On this occasion, I want to say that I am a lucky man. People know my songs. During the past three years I have had tours with "Diana Express" - the band I founded in 1974. We had more than 20 concerts in Bulgaria, 5 in Canada and one in London. People know our hit songs and come to the concerts to listen to them. In late December I recorded a new CD entitled “40 years Diana Express- Ten Golden Hits." It will be relased in March together with another album entitled "Puzzle" which contains 10 pieces. In this way we want to celebrate our anniversary. The sound quality is great and we have included three covers – “Vlubeno Surce,” “Priznanie,” and “Esen.” We are to have a tour in Bulgaria and abroad to present these two albums. The band includes me and Ilia Angelov, as well as guest musicians.

English: Alexander Markov



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

'Katsnal Brumbar' – the iconic folk song reimagined by JazzBoree

In just two years, JazzBoree has made a name for itself with a distinctive sound that blends jazz with traditional Bulgarian folklore. As their name suggests, the band thrives on the synergy between these two genres, creating a fresh and resonant..

published on 6/18/25 2:13 PM

"Something Is Happening" … Duet Riton meets with audiences across Bulgaria

The "Something Is Happening" tour of Duet Riton continues. It is named after their latest album, featuring ten new original songs. After the concerts in Gotse Delchev, Haskovo and Stara Zagora, the duo will meet their music fans in Dobrich (June 17),..

published on 6/17/25 1:46 PM

Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra to premiere new concerto by Dobrinka Tabakova

An important premiere and exciting debut are expected on June 19 in Sofia's Bulgaria Concert Hall. Latvian accordionist Ksenija Sidorova - one of the most attractive ladies on the contemporary classical scene, will make her debut with the National..

published on 6/17/25 1:26 PM