Nikola Iliev, an extraordinary clarinetist and composer, is a rare phenomenon that any nation would be proud of. He founded the infamous Konushensky Folk Orchestra in 1963, which he has led for the last 50 years. There is no need in rehashing the career description of Nikola Iliev and his orchestra. The scope and quality of his music, his pedagogical and performance accomplishments and international recognition of his artistry speak for themselves and require no further embellishment. He is one of those artists who have contributed in such noble way to keep one nation's tradition and further its new essence of growth.