"Youth Album" by Vasil Kazandjiev - Edifying Tales for Young Pianists
Krasimira Fileva

Abstract
In the clavier cycle “Youth album” the Bulgarian composer Vassil Kazandjiev shows mastery in using various methods to develop the instrumental skills of the young pianists. As in some of the works are depicted intriguing characters, while in others, with unconstrained humor, are narrated fascinating stories, the small pieces give substantial lessons on acting. Some of the moral messages, which the composer addresses to the learners, are:
 The courage to see the new as something positive.
 The diligence and the hard work are qualities, worthy of respect.
 Modesty is a quality that should not be neglected.
 The antiquity, the past, should be honored.
 Those, who are most often chased and harassed, have their right of ease, carefreeness, fun.
 The fun can take place without causing any offense.
 Beauty is all around us and we need to find it, to awake it for life and to appreciate it.
The composer gives a personal example to the learning performers of respect to the national folk art. In re-creating music characters, students also learn to experience the tragedy, which is not theirs, learn of empathy, of humanity.

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