STEFAN DRAGOSTINOV

Stefan Dragostinov

Stefan Dragostinov


(born 1948, Sofia) is a composer and conductor whose works have won top positions in the international ratings all over the world.
A series of international awards have consolidated his authority on the concert stage:

  • 1978 – First Prize at the Gaudeamus International Competition in the Netherlands for his cantata The Fair (Politempi N: 1);
  • 1980 – First and only Prize at the Stockhausen Competition in Italy for his Piano Concerto;
  • 1982 – Second Prize at the Simon Bolivar Competition in Venezuela for his Symphony – Monument;
  • 1984 – Laureate of the Arthur Honegger Award of the Foundation France for his composition Politempi N: 3;
  • 1986 – His Ode to the Sea was the winner of the only award at the Fernando Pessoa Competition in Portugal.
Stefan Dragostinov's music ranges over a variety of genres from the song miniatures to the monumental symphonic canvases. It includes six symphonies, a ballet, chamber works, and scenic music.
The Ricordi house is the publisher of part of his scores. The composer's works are performed in major music centres by outstanding companies, such as the Ensemble Inter Contemporain – France, the Symphony Orchestra of R. A. I. – Milan, the Bolshoy Theatre Company, the Choir and Orchestra of the Netherlands National Radio, the Sofia National Opera Company, the Choir and Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio, and by virtuosos like Harry Spaarnay, Antonio Bachelli, Rossen Idealov and others.
In 1985, for its 80th anniversary, Rotary International assigned to Stefan Dragostinov to compose Peace Symphony – a work that after its triumphant premiere in Venezuela and broadcast on radio stations worldwide became one of the symbols of the Rotary movement. With Stefan Dragostinov's compositions famous Bulgarian choirs have won first prizes at International competitions – Debretsen, Hungary; Cantat 2010, Czech Republic; Mayski Horovi praznitsi (Choir Holidays in May) Varna, Bulgaria; BBC London, UK, and others.
In 1998, on assignment by the Bulgarian National Radio, Stefan Dragostinov took part in the BBC initiative on the Millennium and composed the cantata Happy Music that became the Bulgarian salute to the world on the third millennium.
The folklore and its evolution by way of the composer's creative work have been one of the branches in Stefan Dragostinov's activities as a composer and conductor. After a series of concert tours in Germany, France and Japan under the artistic direction of S. Dragostinov, the Victor Publishers in Japan have been propagating the unique Bulgarian singing and instrumental music by releasing three CDs in a total number of over one and a half million.
In 1998 British magazine Classic CD wrote that Stefan Dragostinov develops the Bulgarian tradition "most splendidly". /from October 1998, World music reviews, – Ken Hunt & Ian MacDonald/
For his contribution in keeping and preserving Bulgarian national musical traditions, in 2007 Stefan Dragostinov was awarded the title World Master by the International Organization World Master's Festival in Arts &Culture, Seoul, South Korea.
At present Stefan Dragostinov is realizing an Anthology of the Bulgarian folklore under the title of Sonic Icons of Bulgaria.
Prof. Stefan Dragostinov teaches composition, orchestration and contemporary technique of composition at the New Bulgarian University, Sofia.
As a teacher, in 2006 prof. Stefan Dragostinov started the first class of composition at the New Bulgarian University. His first students, Emerich Ambil, Danail Tanev, with their own symphonic and chamber compositions, have been laureates at international composition competitions.

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