Tale Ognenovski received the First Award.
"Tale Ognenovski was born in the village of Brusnik, Bitola. The first time I met this clarinetist was when he was a participant at the great October festival in Skopje in 1948. Out of the numerous groups and individuals participants at this festival, one of the most remarkable and eminent instrumentalists was Tale Ognenovski. He won First Award. Since then he has performed with extraordinary success as a folk artist on numerous shows both nationally and internationally." These words are from a letter dated May 13, 1965, written by Zhivko Firfov, ethnomusicologist, composer, and president of the award commission at the First Republic of Macedonia Festival of Folk Dances and Songs, Skopje, October 6-10, 1948.

Tale Ognenovski has created his own style in folk music
"As the best clarinetist at the Festival in Skopje on October 11, 1948, Tale Ognenovski was awarded First Award for the clarinet. Zhivko Firfov was president of the award commission, and Angelko Saldziev gave him a clarinet as the award donated by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Macedonia. Tale Ognenovski has performed many of his own compositions of folk dances about Macedonian folklore on Radio Skopje. He has recorded gramophone records of folk dances with him playing as soloist. His folk dances have been recorded on tapes and broadcast over the radio by all the radio stations in Yugoslavia (the former Yugoslavia). This remarkable clarinetist created his own style of folk music and is now the best clarinetist in the Republic of Macedonia. He is an excellent player on the pipe and has recorded folk dances as pipe soloist." The ethnomusicologist Vasil Hadzimanov wrote these words in a letter dated May 1965.

... I presented the first prize for the clarinet
At the Republic's Festival of the Cultural Artistic Society and individuals, on October 11, 1948, I presented the first prize for the clarinet to Tale Ognenovski as the best clarinetist. This award was donated by the Ministry of Science and Culture of People, Republic of Macedonia..." Angel Saldziev wrote these words in his letter dated May 28, 1973.

... He was given top awards...
"With his clarinet, Tale Ognenovski has helped us by working with cultural and educational organizations, particularly with dancing groups from the Bitola area. He toured the People's Republic of Macedonia with our dancing groups and performed at the festival organized in our Republic, throughout the whole of Yugoslavia (the former Yugoslavia) and in Opatija, Kragujevac and other towns... He was given top awards..." These words were written in a letter dated May 18,1965, by Remzi Mefail Nasufi from Bitola, who was a member of the organizing committee for the preparation of folklore groups from the Bitola area for the regional festival in Bitola, 1947, and for the Republic of Macedonia Folklore Festival in Skopje, 1948.

... an active helper in the preparation of folklore groups...
"Tale Ognenovski was an active helper in the preparation of folklore groups of young players from Brusnik, Dihovo, Nidzopole, Rotino and other places. In recognition of his contribution towards the preparations and the performances at the Festivals (in areas and towns) he received top awards. At the Republic's Festival in 1948, he received the First Award as the best clarinetist because he was the best player of folk dances on the clarinet..." Krste Thokovski, a member of the organizing committee for the preparation of folklore groups from the Bitola area in respect of the regional festival in Bitola, 1947, and for the Republic of Macedonia Folklore Festival in Skopje, 1948, wrote this in a letter dated May 18, 1965.

"I have known Tale Ognenovski since 1947 when he performed at the Festival in Bitola. I performed as a folk dancer. Since then, he has participated in arts activities with the Cultural - Educational Society 'Svetlost' and other societies in Bitola..." written by Ilija Alushevski in a letter dated June 7, 1965.

Tale has played for more groups, and he prepared them for the Festival...
"With the founding of the first cultural artistic groups in Bitola and the surrounding area, Tale Ognenovski joined in their activities as a clarinet player. He gave invaluable help in the preparation of the groups in their participation at the Festival organized by the Ministry of Education and Culture of the People's Republic of Macedonia. Later, in 1948, with the founding of 11 cultural artistic groups in Bitola and the surrounding area, Tale played for other groups and prepared them for the Festival on October 11... In recognition of his and other volunteers' participation at the festival in Skopje, the region of Bitola received the top award. Tale Ognenovski received the top award for the clarinet as the best clarinet player at the Festival..." These words were written in a letter dated April 20, 1983, by Pande Vojdanovski, a member of the organizing committee for the preparation of folklore groups from the Bitola area for the regional festival in Bitola, 1947, and for the Republic of Macedonia Folklore Festival in Skopje, 1948.

...At the International Festival in Opatija...the top award...Some of the merit for this award belongs to Tale Ognenovski...
"Tale Ognenovski contributed a lot towards the educational development of the young people from the villages of Dihovo and Nidzopole, particularly with their music and singing. The Cultural -Educational Society from the village of Dihovo has participated in all Festivals in Bitola and Skopje, presenting a particularly distinguished folk dance group, some soloist singing and choirs with accompaniment by the clarinetist Tale Ognenovski and the accordionist Ordan Plashev. Our Society has received the top prize many times. The clarinetist Tale Ognenovski was personally awarded with the top prize on many occasions. Tale Ognenovski toured our entire Republic, visiting the towns of Skopje, Kumanovo, Kriva Palanka, Delchevo, Pehchevo, Carevo selo, Strumica, Kavadarci, and many others. The greatest success was in Kragujevac where, although it had been planned that two concerts would be performed, in fact five were actually performed. Tale Ognenovski was a particularly distinguished soloist. The folk dance group from our society in Nidzopole took part in the International Festival in Opatija and won first prize. Some of the merit for this award belongs to Tale Ognenovski..." Mile Petrovski, the artistic manager of the Cultural - Educational Society "Jonche Georgievski" from the village of Dihovo, wrote these words in a letter dated May 15, 1965.

His performances of folk songs and dances created in me a deep feeling...
"I have known Tale Ognenovski since 1947, when he performed as clarinet soloist at the Festival in Bitola. His performances of folk songs and dances created in me a deep feeling for literal interpretations of folk melodies... As a participant he won an award for his artistic performances...He has composed folk dances that are recorded on gramophone records..."
Ilija Nikolovski, Director of the Musical school in Skopje, wrote these words in a letter dated October 16, 1965.

Tale Ognenovski...a clarinetist of the highest level, the clarinetist who has no other equal in the Balkans or anywhere else...
"With his great skill and rich knowledge of all the secrets about creating folklore music, Tale Ognenovski helped us a great deal to make the programme the richest it could be. He showed us a way to develop our work. He is great patriot, who has helped all amateur societies without any financial compensation. Our opinion is that Tale Ognenovski is a clarinetist of the highest level, the clarinetist who has no other equal in the Balkans and anywhere else..." these words appeared in the letter no. 62 dated April 6, 1973, from the Ensemble of folk dances and songs "Goce Delchev".

... a special honour for Tale Ognenovski for his interpretations and creative compositions in folk music...
"Tale Ognenovski worked as a clarinetist with the Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs 'Tanec' from July 1, 1956 till September 1, 1960. After this, he was often invited as a top-class musician to participate from time to time in various performances of Ensemble 'Tanec', and always maintained his ability to interpret quality...
He has had a particular influence on and made a significant contribution to the musical life in Macedonia, particularly with his creative additions to Macedonian folklore tunes and his own fascinating compositions. This was appreciated at the meeting of the Artistic Council of Ensemble 'Tanec', Skopje, on May 9, 1973, when he was given a special honour for his interpretations and creative compositions of folk music..." These words appeared in letter no. 03-22/2 dated May 10, 1973 from the Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs 'Tanec'.

...his professional help with the music was valuable and of high quality...
"Tale Ognenovski, clarinetist from Skopje, has for many years worked with our Cultural Art Society on an amateur basis, and his professional help with the music was valuable and of as high a quality as his participation in numerous concerts both nationally and internationally and his professional education of young clarinetists." This appeared in the letter no. 61-700 from the Cultural Art Society "Orce Nikolov", dated April 9, 1973.

...he educated young musicians...
"Tale Ognenovski was, for a long time, an instrumentalist of the clarinet with the Folk Orchestra of the Cultural Art Society 'Vlado Tasevski'. With great self-sacrifice, he worked a great deal to bring on our Society. With his many years of experience he educated young musicians, who are now working in our Society and in other cultural and art institutions in Skopje and in the Republic..." From a letter from the Cultural Art Society 'Vlado Tasevski' dated April 25, 1973.

... Tale Ognenovski deserved many honours as a composer, as a folk artist, as an interpreter of folk music...
"Tale Ognenovski gave me two recorded tapes with his compositions of folk music with the request that I review them for their quality. When I had finished listening to them, I realised that he had a good style of interpretation on the clarinet... Tale Ognenovski deserved many honours as a composer, as a folk artist, as an interpreter of folk music..." wrote Aleksandar Linin, manager of the folk music department at the Institute of Folklore in Skopje, in a letter dated April 10, 1973.

Tale Ognenovski helped manage Radio Skopje's review programme...
"During the period 1962 to 1965, Tale Ognenovski helped manage Radio Skopje's review programme, the "Competition of the towns", as a musician of Radio Skopje, as a leading instrumentalist of the Folk Orchestra and as assistant manager of the auditions and selection of unknown singers from all the towns of our Republic. He got a very positive message from the reactions he received about these activities. He received many compliments...Tale Ognenovski has appeared as a remarkable clarinet soloist. He contributed to this programme and to the Music productions of Radio Skopje with many of his own dance compositions, which are a particular musical treasure..." written by Blagoj Stefanovski, Head of Programme Performances on Radio Skopje and former editor and manager of the review programme 'Competition of the towns' of Radio Skopje, in a letter dated April 3, 1973.

Tale Ognenovski...got listeners excited and up on their feet in many countries and continents...
"With enormous hard work and the strength of his talent, Tale Ognenovski developed the highest level of ability in interpreting Macedonian rhythms. Besides his masterly improvisations of folk music, he learned musical notation. On many occasions Tale Ognenovski, when presenting our source of musical richness, got listeners excited and up on their feet in many countries and continents. With his performances he proved that Macedonian folklore was the richest." The composer Blagoja Ivanovski wrote these words in a letter dated May 23, 1977.

Tale Ognenovski is recognized...as a composer of Macedonian folk dances...
"Tale Ognenovski is recognized as an artist from the Union of Composers in Yugoslavia (the former Yugoslavia) and as a composer of Macedonian folk dances with a prize collection of his own compositions. Some of these composition are recorded on gramophone records..." These words appeared in a letter from 'OOZT Koncertna Direkcija - Skopje', dated May 30, 1977.

... instrumental melodies performed by Tale Ognenovski undoubtedly present an object for special research work...
"His performances came from the school of natural folklore where one can cherish a wealth of everlasting musical tradition, as symbolised by the old and the new. The records of many dances and instrumental melodies performed by Tale Ognenovski undoubtedly present an object for special research work, because the clarinetist Tale Ognenovski is a name that represents extraordinary originality and creative interpretation." This appeared in a letter no.03-466/2 dated June 17, 1977, from the Institute of Folklore 'Marko Cepenkov', Skopje, Republic of Macedonia.

His natural talent is impressive and he has developed an amazing level of expertise ...
"Tale Ognenovski has performed on the pipe ('kavalche') and the clarinet for 50 years. His natural talent is impressive and he has developed such an amazing level of expertise that to generations of folk clarinetists both in our country and around the world his musicianship is a sign of quality...It is evident that Ognenovski has an extraordinary reputation for developing our artistic amateurism and for his endless presentation of our folklore to the world. The numerous records of his performances are valuable, unique and everlasting artistic treasures of our culture, for the benefit of Yugoslavian (the former Yugoslavia) radio and televised programmes and for millions of Yugoslavians in this country and around the world.
With Tale Ognenovski's interpretations, the dance ('oro') lives its own, totally natural life with a genuine air of style, brilliant creativity, highly gracious in all registers and colourful. This champion virtuoso made his performances sound unique and really magnificent..." contained in a letter from Radio Television Skopje, no. 03-948/1, dated May 30, 1977.

Tale Ognenovski is famous for his originality and superb skill...
"The famous, well-known artist Tale Ognenovski has for four decades unceasingly and unselfishly worked at maintaining the rich origin of traditional music in his creations. He is famous both nationally and internationally for his originality and superb skill in his interpretations of Macedonian folklore..." This comes from a letter from the Association of Stage Artists of Macedonia", dated May 30, 1978.

"Tale Ognenovski worked with the Folk Orchestras of Culture and Art societies in Skopje without any financial remuneration, and left behind him many educated young artists, enthusiasts in folk music..." This comes from a letter from the Cultural Educational Association of Macedonia, no. 0301-19/1, dated January 15, 1988.

...exciting the public with his solo performances...left the sign of a unique clarinetist...
"As an extraordinary and very popular clarinetist Tale Ognenovski performed for several decades on numerous occasions both nationally and internationally, everywhere exciting the public with his solo performances. He has recorded many gramophone records depicting Macedonian folklore... Many well-known musicologists and musical critics have commented about his interpretations of the origins of Macedonian folklore, and have always declared his great skill, his wonderful talent and his creative musicianship. During the past decades Tale Ognenovski has left the sign of a unique clarinetist in his interpretations of Macedonian folklore. He has made a particularly special contribution in protecting and giving proof of the creation of Macedonian musical folklore..." These words are from the Association of Folklorists of Macedonia, in their letter no. 25, dated May 24, 1982.

"He was an active musician in all amateur ensembles, and he worked on a professional basis with the Folk Orchestra of Radio Skopje. He has taught numerous musicians, enthusiasts in folk music..." These words are from the Cultural-educational community of Macedonia, in their letter No. 0301-19/1, dated January 15, 1988.

... contributing by his teaching methods...the young enthusiasts...
"In the House of the Culture Tale Ognenovski was a reproduction artist, preserving our folklore and contributing by his teaching methods, transferring his enormous experience to the young enthusiasts." This comes from a letter from the House of the Culture 'Kocho Racin' dated February 22, 1990.

...his book 'Makedonski ora' ('Macedonian dances') which will forever be a guide for young musicians...
"Tale Ognenovski was professional manager of the Folk Orchestra in the Cultural Art Society 'Mirche Acev'. His expertise and desire to work contributed to our Folk Orchestra being on a level comparable with other professional orchestras. His tuition led to several members of the Folk Orchestra becoming good musicians who then continued to work in the same Cultural Art Society as well as in other culture and art institutions in the town and around the country. Another of his contributions in the area of folk music is his book 'Makedonski ora' ('Macedonian dances') which will forever be a guide for young musicians"... These words are from the Cultural Art Society 'Mirche Acev', appearing in their letter no. 1015/18-2, dated February 20, 1990.

...always ready for conversation and for companionship, Tale was always popular and always the centre of attention in our society...
"Tale Ognenovski, the soloist and instrumentalist participated in numerous concerts around our country always on a voluntary basis, without any financial remuneration. His vast knowledge and experience as an instructor, musical manager and teacher he transferred to the young, talented enthusiasts in our society. Friendly and sincere, always ready for conversation and for companionship, Tale was always popular and always the centre of attention in our society. And nowadays, even though he is not actively involved with our society, he lives in our Ensemble through his folk dances in his book 'Makedonski ora' ('Macedonian dances')." These words are from the Cultural Art Society 'Kocho Racin', appearing in their letter no. 10-12, dated February 21, 1990

...develop in their the most valuable of settings...
"His real understanding of style, brilliant inventiveness, remarkable ability to accommodate every register and shade and fantastic skill made his performances sound unique and really magnificent... In the areas of artistic imagination and powerful, creative improvisation, Ognenovski developed his rare talent. It is evident that Ognenovski is an amiable representative of our contemporary, important, folk-artist school, who with incredible enthusiasm, love and creative work develop in their the most valuable of settings..."These words are from Radio Television Skopje, and appear in their letter no. 03-2179, dated February 21, 1990.

...in Europe and America, giving all he could in a top quality performance of folk music...
"Tale Ognenovski was often invited as a guest to perform with Ensemble Tanec in Europe and America, giving all he could in a top quality performance of folk music...Tale Ognenovski has recorded many folk dances with Radio Skopje and also on gramophone records where, besides original folk dances, he has recorded his own folk dance compositions in the Macedonian style..." These words are from Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs 'Tanec', appearing in their letter no. 03-166, dated February 21, 1990.

"The musicianship of Tale Ognenovski, not only here but in all parts of the world, is recorded in a world anthology of folklore. This is his true award for proclaiming the legend of Macedonian folk music worldwide. His highly skilful improvisations, variations, and 'maninja' (cadenzas) characterized his personality. A great amount of production and reproduction of music with thousands of concerts, performances and gramophone records, and a book published with his own dance compositions...Tale Ognenovski lives the legend of Macedonian folklore..." These words are from the 'Center for Culture and Information', Bitola, appearing in their letter no. 03-68/1, dated May 27, 1998.

...Everywhere, audiences gave Ensemble 'Tanec' and Tale Ognenovski ecstatic applause...
"At the end of 1955, Tale Ognenovski was employed by the 'Public Police Orchestra'. Emanuel Chuchkov, the director of Ensemble 'Tanec', asked Micho Kostovski, the manager and conductor of the Orchestra if Tale Ognenovski could be a guest soloist of the Ensemble 'Tanec'. First he was on tour in Bulgaria, and soon afterwards on tour in the United States and Canada (for three months in early 1956). Between 1956 and 1960, as an employee of the Ensemble, he went on tour in Switzerland, France (for three months), Germany (for three months), Albania, Romania and throughout the republics of the former Yugoslavia: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Slovenia, Serbia and Croatia. Everywhere, audiences gave Ensemble 'Tanec' and Tale Ognenovski ecstatic applause..." These words are from the Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs 'Tanec', appearing in their letter no.03-241/1, datedMay 26, 1998.

... rare talent for improvisations and creative composing whilst performing...
"In many of Tale Ognenovski's instrumental performances there is a remarkable sense of shaped musical phrase, rich shades, a tame and gracious tone, an extraordinary memory of sound and rare talent for improvisations and creative composing whilst performing. His brilliant-to-perform technical dances and instrumental melodies are likely to contain a heterogeneous array of Macedonian folklore rhythms. All of these things made this folk artist a virtuoso of his instrument..." These words are from the Institute of Folklore 'Marko Cepenkov', Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, appearing in their letter no. 04-339, dated May 8, 1998.

The name of Mr. Tale Ognenovski is now on the Internet...
"Mr. Tale Ognenovski did much to popularise not only Macedonian songs and dances but also Vloch folk songs and dances from Nidzopole, Bitola, at big and important Festivals not only in Macedonia, but also around the world. His highly skilful performances will remain as everlasting, valuable records in Macedonian Radio Television and become a part of the culture of the Vloch and also around the world. The name of Mr. Tale Ognenovski is now on the Internet and, by this channel, the world's media will be able to gain access to and knowledge about our style of song and dance..." These words are from the 'Union of Culture of Vloch from Macedonia', appearing in their letter dated May 12, 1999.

He started playing classical works in December 1952 when, accompanied by the excellent pianist Nino Cipushev...
"The famous and renowned artist, Tale Ognenovski, has for the past six decades unceasingly and generously worked at maintaining the rich origin of traditional music in his creations. He is famous both nationally and internationally for his originality and superb skill in interpretations of Macedonian folklore. He started playing classical works in December 1952 when, accompanied by the excellent pianist Nino Cipushev, he performed the concert 'Concert Polka for Clarinet' in the 'Police House'...Tale Ognenovski has composed and arranged 150 Macedonian folk dances which have been recorded by Macedonian Radio Television...Visitors to his Web site from around the world can hear audio samples of ten musical works from folk, classical and jazz music in which Tale Ognenovski performs as clarinet and pipe soloist...His Web site http://www.taleognenovski.com.mk/ is listed on the most popular Internet search engines..." these words are from the Association of Stage Artists of Macedonia, appearing in their letter no. 66, dated May 19, 1999.

...affirmation of Macedonian Art...
"The contribution of Mr. Tale Ognenovski from the Bitola village of Brusnik towards the development and affirmation of Macedonian Art, is great. His 60-year musical career included an important and productive period as an artistic producer and reproducer. His real merit is based on his affirmation of Macedonian original folk music, which he has performed in almost every continent in the world..." These words are from the 'Committee for Community Activities on the Council of the Commune of Bitola', appearing in their letter no. 14-340, dated May 20, 1999.

...almost irreplaceable quality, the creative artistic presence of Tale Ognenovski has been demonstrated on Radio and Television programmes since 1948...
"Extraordinarily important, extremely rare, and with an almost irreplaceable quality, the creative artistic presence of Tale Ognenovski has been demonstrated on Radio and Television programmes since 1948: a vast number of magnetic records by the Musical Production department of Macedonian Television; more gramophone records; tireless work and a great contribution to the artistic profile of programmes of the Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs 'Tanec'; working with many amateur culture and arts societies...On his numerous audio records and with every performance, Tale Ognenovski and his clarinet are a valuable, unique and permanent artistic treasure of our culture, because Tale and his performances shine with all the brilliance of our abundant folklore origins...Without disturbing the deep continuity of tradition, Tale Ognenovski has created a marker and a style in our musical folk era. It is from him that the secrets of how to preserve creative perfection in reproductions of folk music have been, are and will be learned by numerous folk instrumentalists. For this reason we can speak in some sense of an 'Ognenovski folk clarinet school'...Tale Ognenovski is an extraordinary artist on the national and international map of art and culture..." These words are from Macedonian Radio Television, appearing in their letter no.08-1978/2, dated May 19, 1999.

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