So folk music, the rich heritage of its melodies and themes, became his creative constant, constantly recurring in his various, hugely successful musical projects, which made Stefanovski a household name among the world music enthusiasts around the globe. One of the reasons probably lies in the fact that Macedonian music offers excellent opportunities for improvisation, developing, and adding variations. A virtuoso of improvisation – and if there ever was one, it's Stefanovski – can go far using it, mainly due to its intricate 7/8 and 9/8 rhythms. They are a world apart from the usual 4/4 measures we are used to finding in popular and rock music. They carry a secret weapon, an element of surprise – catching listeners off guard and unprepared, making their hearts skip a beat, evoking unexpected emotions, and offering a completely different musical experience. These are magical rhythms. Hypnotic.
The same word is probably the most accurate description of musical landscapes painted by Vasko Atanasovski. The Slovenian saxophone and flute virtuoso is yet another master of intricate musical tapestries woven from ancestral sounds of folk music infused with modern expressions and jazz influences crowned by virtuoso improvisation. His compositions and concerts habitually turn into a transcendental experience way beyond "regular "concerts. Meditative, magnetic. Hypnotic.
When the two kindred spirits met eleven years ago and found each other on our stage, the Fire and Ice project was born, igniting the festival's atmosphere. Crafting sonic landscapes that leave listeners spellbound was a perfect celebration of the Cultural Capital of Europe title, which Maribor proudly held in 2012. So, when the opportunity to renew and expand the project presented itself, we jumped at it! And here it is, a 2023 take on a perfect fusion of two sorcerers. Two enchanting music firebirds soaring high in the endless universe of musical delights.
Welcome to Fire & Ice 2923, a musical tour de force, an intense, electrifying interplay of rough and sleek, exhilarating and contemplative, hot and cold. A mesmerising experience. Captivating, primal, visceral. Here's the word again: hypnotic.
Text by: Maja Pirš
