Konstantin Cekov – “The most important part of my life is my music for FSB.”

Born on December 24, 1952

Started learning the piano at the age of seven with highly respected teacher Lidia Kuteva, who considered him an indisputable and bright talent. In 1972 he graduated her piano class at the National Music School in Sofia and in 1978 he graduated The State Music Academy in the piano class of Prof. Lilly Atanasova. The training in harmony and composition with the great Bulgarian musician Stefan Trayanov played a significant role in his musical education and professional growth. Konstantin Cekov has always been a brilliant pianist. The prospects of a dazzling career as a solo pianist did not tempt him to betray his choice to be in a rock band. Three factors played a decisive role in making that choice: his friendship with Alexander Baharov and Rumen Boyadzhiev, the music of Yes, Genesis and Gino Vannelli, and the firm decision that his profession had to be his hobby, and the hobby – his profession. In 1975 the three of them formed FSB.

Studio work in Balkanton was not only an opportunity to experiment with original ideas, but also a chance to establish modern trends in arranging and sound recording. Konstantin Cekov is an indispensable studio musician recognized for his perfect pitch and proverbial sight-reading ability, unwavering nervous system and astounding technical prowess – a high-flying professional. All this, coupled with delicate sensitivity and inexhaustible creative invention. He is the author of numerous arrangements of songs by Bulgarian composers, composer of many songs from the repertoire of outstanding pop singers, author of music for feature and documentary films, theatrical scores, and music for children.

“I have never stopped playing”

For him the 1993 – 1999 hiatus marks “the beginning of something new”. The state of mind he was in at that time is reflected in his first solo instrumental album, Verticals, released in 1996. His second album, The wings of fish (1999), proved entirely different stylistically, pointing to the author’s huge potential and inimitable talent. He performed the main vocals himself, lyrics penned by Jivka Chopova.

Quiet and reserved, Konstantin Cekov barely speaks about the past and the future of FSB, but the spark of creativity never fails to show in his eyes.

“Friendship and professionalism are the two most important things. There is always nostalgia, as time has passed by, but that time has generated ideas that have been waiting to come to life. I am convinced that the future is in our hands, because we still have our old and our new audience.”