Blagoj Lamnjov - Nostalgic Love(MK/SE)

In this intimate concert ambience, Macedonian-Swedish clarinetist Blagoj Lamnjov ( Blago J ) pushes the limits of the clarinet, blending Macedonian folk music with the sensibility of the western classical clarinet sound. Influenced by both musical genres in combination with his true feelings, Blagoj’s music style delivers a full-of-emotions concert experience, a closer look at the clarinet as an instrument, as well as a more familiar image of this Balkan country, creating a bridge between the old and the modern world.

Based in Sweden, Blagoj Lamnjov is a classically trained clarinetist educated in Sweden, the USA, and his native Macedonia. He has worked extensively for many cultural institutions in Sweden, including Malmö Opera, Stockholm Stadsteater, Helsingborgs Symfoniorkester, and Cirkus Cirkör. Blagoj has performed as a soloist with the Norrköping Symfoniorkester on multiple occasions. Furthermore, he has served as a teacher in the folk music department at both Lunds and Göteborg University for a total of four years.

In 2004, at the age of 21, Blagoj left Macedonia, his college, and his established wedding-music career to pursue studies at Musikhögskolan i Malmö in Sweden. He dedicated himself solely to classical music, incorporating classical elements into his folk music.

"I decided to explore a different approach to Macedonian folk music. I would immediately apply everything I learned in classical music lessons to Macedonian folk songs during my free time. I began treating them as if they were composed by classical music composers. I experimented, recorded, and analyzed my performances. I studied opera singers and envisioned how they would interpret these folk songs in a classical style. Eventually, I found my way of expressing my feelings through the clarinet. After carefully developing my style for 14 years, I finally felt mature and ready to record my music and perform it in concerts. This journey was motivated by several reasons," says Blagoj.

His debut album, "Nostalgic Love," was released in 2019. "The album was created during moments of longing, dreaming, loving, and desiring. It was a means to express myself, to communicate something to someone," says Blagoj. The album significantly boosted the popularity of the clarinet in his native Macedonia and brought a "new dimension" to Macedonian folk music. Individuals who previously had little interest in the clarinet or folk music now incorporate "Nostalgic Love" into their daily lives. A common remark from listeners is: "You have introduced me to a new aspect of the clarinet."

Blagoj holds a bachelor's degree in classical music from the Malmö Academy of Music (Lund’s University), as well as a Performance Diploma from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Additionally, he spent one year studying at Michigan State University and another year at DePaul University in the USA.

Blagoj embarked on his first tour at the age of 13 as a member of a folk dance and music group from his hometown. To date, he has performed across half of Europe, as well as in China, Japan, the USA, and Canada.

On stage:
Blagoj Lamnjov (Blago J)  – clarinet
Johan Ohlsson – piano and accordion
Per Knagg – bass
Eva Kunda Neidek – vocals