Subject: Tale Ognenovski
Stevan
...I listen the tapes of your father. They are very old, but the music is still so beautiful. I would be very interested in the classical recordings... thank you so much for your web site, January 18, 1999... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TALE OGNENOVSKI, THE WORLD'S GREATEST CLARINETIST! YOUR FRIEND, SUSAN PREFONTAINE, Buffalo, New York, USA, April 21, 1999.
E-mail sprefont@acsu.buffalo.edu
 

Dear Tale and Stevan.
My name is Dimce Cvetkovski. I was born on November 7, 1957 (in the village of Arvati near Krani in Prespa). I came to the United States on February 20, 1970. I was 12 years old. But I still remember everything, even though I have not been back to Macedonia since I came to the United States. My father has been back a few times but I haven't. Maybe one of these days when things are not so busy. Both of my parents Cvetko and Sofija are still alive and have just retired. I have a sister Stefka who is 5 years younger than me. I am 41 years old and have been married for 17 years. My wife's name is Gerrie (Geraldine) who is American. I also have 3 sons Steven (14 years old), Jeffrey (12 years old and Scott (9 years old)...
In March 1, 1993, I opened my own KARATE STUDIO WESTERN NEW YORK KARATE CENTER. This is my own business...I have listened to Tale's music since I was a little boy in Macedonia. I remember I was very young when I first heard BRUSNICHKO ORO and TALEVO SVADBARSKO ORO. In 1983, my father went to Macedonia for a visit. He brought to me 2 records (8 Macedonian folk dances - ORA). One record has POLJANSKO ORO, NEVENINO ORO etc...The other record has BUKOVSKO SVADBARSKO ORO, RESENSKO ORO, PRILEPSKO etc...In 1986 I went to Canada for a visit and I bought a cassette that has 12 Macedonian folk dances - ORA (CHALGIITE NA TALE OGNENOVSKI, KUKUSHKO ORO, RISTEVO ORO...). Today I have about 60 Macedonian folk dances - ORA from Tale Ognenovski. His music must live forever. Tale's music touches my HEART and SOUL. Sometimes when I listen to his music there are tears from my eyes running down my face.
Nobody in the world can play the clarinet like Tale. I have listened to a lot of clarinet music from many countries but nobody comes close to Tale. He is simply the BEST. When I was a little boy in Macedonia, I also played the pipe ("kavalche") with my grandfather Mitre. My grandfather was a shepherd and I used to help him on the farm. But I have always loved clarinet music. I am 41 year old. Two years ago, I bought a clarinet. I listen by ear and try to play. I do not know how to read music. Maybe one day I will try to take lessons. My middle son Jeffrey takes lessons and plays the clarinet and the saxophone in school. He is in sixth grade. He is very, very good. He is the best in his school on the clarinet and the saxophone. My oldest Steven always listens to Tale's music. He loves it. I hope someday I can play like Tale, even a little bit. I hope someday I get to meet you and your father Tale. It would be a great honor to shake the hand of the best clarinetist in the world. Maestro Tale is the best. I hope he lives a long, long, long time...All I want is his music to live forever. People need to listen and hear this great clarinetist. With Great greetings With Great Happiness. (January 24, 1999)...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST CLARINETIST IN THE WORLD! (Dimce, April 10, 1999)...

As I drive in my car to and from my business and other places throughout the day, I spend 11/2 hours each day listening to  Tale's music. Tale is my hero. His music is incredible. His approach to every note is so unique. His improvisations and solos are out of this world, and no one can even come close. It is true that when listening to Tale, his music takes you to different worlds and different dimensions. I feel very special and lucky to have friends like you, and being touched so deeply by Tale's music (December 21, 1999)...
Jim (Dimce) Cvetkovski, Buffalo, New York, USA

Stevan, - all the best to you, your family and your father in the New Year.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2001
Dimce, December 2000

Mr. Dimce Cvetkovski from Buffalo, New York, USA with his clarinet and pipe ("kavalche"), with Tale Ognenovski's
book "MAKEDONSKI ORA" ('MACEDONIAN FOLK DANCES') and with Tale Ognenovski's gramophone records
and cassettes
 
 
 

Gerrie, Steven and Dimce Cvetkovski                                                     Cvetko and Sofija Cvetkovski

Stevan, Kliment, Margarita and Tale Ognenovski and Cvetko Cvetkovski        

Subject: Congratulations/Makedonski Ora
Dear Mr. Ognenovski,
Thank you for establishing this wonderful web page as a tribute to your father, Tale. I must tell you that Tale has always been one of my heroes and my role model in clarinet playing.
I am a Croatian-American living in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. I began playing the clarinet with Macedonian friends from our local Macedonian colony in 1972 and have continued since then. Early on I was given some 45 rpm recordings of your father - I was immediately inspired and electrified! Many Macedonian musicians have become popular since those days, but your father sets the standard for originality and good taste. I was surprised to find out that your father had published the book, Makedonski Ora. How can I get a copy? I would very much like to get one. I am particularly excited about the collection of scores (notes) that your father published because I have begun to work with a chalgija ensemble of violin, dzhumbush, ut and tarabuka in New York and Boston and want to teach them some of your father's tunes.
Please send my congratulations to your father! I look forward to hearing from you soon.
All the best.
Vlado Mahovlich, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, February 5, 1999.
E-mail mahovlich@stratos.net
 

Subject: Available recordings?
I wonder if there are any available recordings of your Father? Perhaps some
of his records have been re-issued on CDs. I am very interested in buying
any such recordings. Thank you.
Ian Price, USA, February 22, 1999.
E-mail Ian.Price@transamerica.com
 

Subject: Fabulous Web Page!!!
Stevan:
What a fabulous web page!!!! My name is Larry Weiner, I made my first trip to Makedonia in 1966 (when I was 23) and have been back there 3 times since then. I never met your father but have many, many of his recordings and love his music... There is much I could (and probably will) say about my interests in your father's music, but, unfortunately, I'll have to continue this at a later time. Many thanks for a wonderful web page and the tribute to your dad; he's a great musician.
Larry Weiner US EPA and "Old World Music & Dance", USA, February 22, 1999.
E-mail weiner.larry@epa.gov
 

Subject: Tale Ognenovski
Congratulations on a wonderful and informative piece on your father. I am very moved and appreciate your detailed information. I first met Tale in Los Angeles 1956, when Tanec was on tour, and in particular I was impressed with his clarinet music. He will remember me, because I became the first Amerikanka (Croatian descent) who became a dancer with Tanec in 1957... Please give my dear and sincere regards to Tale...
Elsie Ivancich Dunin (Professor Emerita, University of California at Los Angeles), USA, February 22, 1999.
E-mail LCDunin@aol.com
 

Predmet: Tale
Zdravo Stevce!
Eve samo da se javam i da ti chestitam za stranicata na tatkoti. Samo mozham da kazham deka e prekasno i odlicno. Inace i jas sum Klarinetista i sviram vo grupa tuka vo Avstralija kaj sto ziveam, inace poteklo mie od Bitola.  Sakam Stevce da mi go pozdravish Sriko Tale mnogu, i isto taka dobro zdravje.
Navistina naj dobriot klarinetista vo Makedonija i cel svet dosega sto postoi.
Pozdrav Mnogu,
Toni Becvinovski, Avstralija, 18 mart, 1999 god.
 

(This e-mail translated on English language)

Subject: Tale
Hello Stevce!
I congratulate you on the web page dedicated to your father. I can only say, that it is wonderful and excellent. I am a clarinetist and I play here in Australia, where I live. My descendants are from Bitola. I want Stevce to greet Tale a lot from me. I wish him good health. He really is the best clarinetist of all time in Macedonia and in the World.
With great greetings,
Toni Becvinovski, Australia, March 18, 1999.
E-mail tbecvin@space.net.au
 

Subject: Tale Ognenovski
Hello,
I was very interested by your web site about your father. Do you know where I can find his recordings? Also, as I play professionally Balkan music (among others), I am greatly interested by his book "Makedonski Ora". Is it still available, and if not, is it possible to obtain a photocopy? Best wishes
Georges Andres, Bourges, France, April 20, 1999.
E-mail hemisp@wanadoo.fr
 

Subject: Greetings from Holland
Hello Stefane,
My compliments for this very nice homepage about the Macedonian folk music culture and your famous father Tale Ognenovski...
Greetings from Dick Saarloos, Holland, April 20, 1999.
E-mail Dick.Saarloos@digital.com
 

Predmet: Nasha muzika
Zdravo Steve!
Jas sum Ilija Petkovski od Holandija i slucajno dojdov na tvojot sajt od
tatkoti. Mnogu mi se svida sajtot am mene bas muzikata je obozavam deka i
jas sam sviram. Mnogu sakam da gi kupam site kaseti od tatkoti od MRT ama
neznam kako: dali imas ti edna ideja?
Puno pozdrav od Holandija
Ilija

(This e-mail translated on English language)

Subject: Our Music
Hello Steve!
I am Ilija Petkovski from Holland and I accidentally found the web site of your father. I like this web site especially. I adore the music of this web site because I play it myself. I want very much to buy all cassettes from your father from MRT, but I don't know how: Do you have some idea?
Many greetings from Holland
Ilija Petkovski, Holland, Jun 14, 1999.
E-mail ipetkov@telekabel.nl

Predmet: Tale Ognenovski
Drag Stefche,
... So muzikata na Tale se zapoznav kako desetgodisno dete. Srceto mi treperese koga go slussav, seta dussa vo drugi prostori mi patuvase i taka e do den denessen. Toj e za mene eden od najdobrite muzichari vo vselenata. Mozzat lugje da uchat sskoli muzichki, mozat da chitaat knigi, no taa bozzestvena tajna ja znaat samo dussite na iskluchitelno chuvstvitelnite lugje. Takva golema dlaboka bogata vozvissena dusa nosi Tale Ognenovski.
Mu se poklonuvam...
Zlatko Origjanski "Anastasia"

(This e-mail translated on English language)

Subject: Tale Ognenovski
Dear Stefche,
... I met the music of Tale, when I was a child of 10. My heart flickered when I listened to his music; my soul was travelling in other time and space then, and even now, right up to the present day. He is one of the best musicians in the universe. People can be taught music at schools, and they can read books, but that divine secret is known to the souls of only very sensitive men. That great, deeply rich, exceptional soul is Tale Ognenovski. I bow down to him...
Zlatko Origjanski "Anastasia", Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, Jul 16, 1999.
E-mail origano@mol.com.mk

Subject: Tale Ognenovski
Dear Mr. Ognenovski,
I saw your Web page on the Internet and decided to write. My Grandparents were born in Macedonia and came to the United States in 1916 and 1921. I am very interested in my Macedonian heritage. I have a large collection of Macedonian costumes (Nosii), books, and sound recordings (Audio tapes, Video tapes, 45RPM, 33RPM and 78RPM records). I am proud to have several of your recordings in my collection! I was surprised to read that you were born in the village Brusnik, Bitolsko.  Many of my friends' families originate from Brusnik. Brusnik and the villages around it gave birth to many good musicians. The town where I was born and raised (Granite City, Illinois USA) is a very historical place for Macedonian history. Granite City is one of the earliest Macedonian settlements in North and South America. In 1907 there were about eight thousand Immigrants from Macedonia living in Granite City. Most of these Immigrants were Men that came here "Na Pechalba". When the Balkan and other Wars started, these new Immigrants realized that they would not be able to return to their homeland and decided to make America their new home. Many of the first Immigrants to Granite City were from Bitolsko.
On September 21, 1914 a group of Bitolchani from Brusnik, Dihovo, Capari and other villages started a music group. These Immigrants wanted to keep their music alive in their new homeland. The new band was called "Orient Band". I have an old photograph of this band. Only photographs and memories are left from this early time here but I was glad to see that the traditional Macedonian music from the Bitola area lives on through you. Thank you from preserving this rich heritage of ours!
Since I was a small child this place (Bitolsko), has been dear to me. I hope that one day soon you will visit Granite City and bring back the beautiful music that is a part of my beautiful heritage and is now lost in Granite City. I will now close this letter with my best wishes to you for a long life, much happiness and many years of playing music.
All the best,
Marvin Moehle, Granite City, Illinois, USA, August 15, 1999.
E-mail smurdesh@hotmail.com

Sincerely Congratulations for « 11 Oktomvri » Award of  Mr. Tale Ognenovski. Many good wishes for his health and his long life and to receive other deserved awards.
Valentina Gorgievska, Newspaper “Vecer”, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, October 12, 2003
Email:   valentinagorgievska@yahoo.com

Back to the Tale Ognenovski Biography Page