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We mark 125 years since the birth of composer Pancho Vladigerov

Photo: Archive

The great Bulgarian composer, musician, conductor and teacher Pancho Vladigerov was born on 13 March 1899 in Zurich. He wrote numerous works in various genres - opera, ballet, symphonic music, piano concertos, etc. He founded the Bulgarian Composer-Pedagogical School, which educated some of the most outstanding contemporary Bulgarian composers. Among his pupils was the world-famous pianist Alexis Weissenberg (born and lived in Sofia during his childhood - ed.)

During his childhood Vladigerov lived in Shumen, where he showed great musical talent from an early age - at the age of 7 he gave his first concert, and at the age of 10 he made his first attempts at composition.

In 1912 Pancho and his twin brother Lyuben (a violinist) received a state scholarship to study in Berlin. This is where Pancho wrote his first significant works. His gift was much appreciated and in 1918 and 1920 he was twice awarded the prestigious Mendelssohn Prize of the Berlin Academy.

He worked as a pianist and composer at the Deutsches Theater of Max Reinhardt in Berlin (1920-32) and wrote music for his productions.

Vladigerov returned to Bulgaria in 1932 and for the next four decades was professor of piano, chamber music and composition at the State Academy of Music, which now bears his name. A number of his works, such as the Bulgarian Rhapsody Vardar, have become emblematic of Bulgarian music.
Pancho Vladigerov departed this world on 8 September 1978.


Photos: BNR archive, Wikipedia/Family archive of Maria Ganeva

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