Georgi Mintchev wrote Contrasts at the request of Thomas Kalb, GMD of the Heidelberg Philharmonic Orchestra (Germany), for the 2003-2004 music season. A poetic and emotional, yet virtuosic piece where the dynamic and rhythmic content covers a wide range of sequences, from the aggressive to the peaceful, drawing on the resources provided by contemporary schools of musical composition, but respectful of the basic tenets of traditional music.

To challenge the virtuosity of the orchestral solois...