Ivo Varbanov (pianist)
Ivo Varbanov is a Bulgarian concert pianist and winemaker.
He started playing piano aged 6 with Eleonora Karamisheva. He studied under Riccardo Bertazzolo and Hungarian pianist Ylonka Deckers from 1987 to 1993. After graduating he travelled to England to work with Sulamita Aronowsky and Frank Wibaut at the Royal Academy of Music, finishing his postgraduate studies in 1998 (on a Rotary Scholarship). He studied privately with Dennis Lee and attended several masterclasses by artists such as Alexander Lonquich and Lev Naumov.
He has led masterclasses himself at the Bulgarian National Music School in Sofia, Hochschule für Musik Luzern in Switzerland, and at the Radom Music School in Poland.
After a hiatus in 2009-2012, due to leukaemia, he returned to the stage with performances at the Royal Festival Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Kings Place, and Cadogan Hall.
His performances have been broadcast on Bulgarian National Radio, BBC Radio, RAI 3, Bulgarian National Television, among others. His recording of Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition by Gega New CD was described by the BBC Music Magazine as "enchanting", and by Suono Magazine as possessing "notable interpretative quality". He released three other recordings with that label.
In 2004 Varbanov took up winemaking, while continuing his musical career, planting a small vineyard in southern Bulgaria and producing his first wine in 2008. He also founded the Bulgarian Association of Independent Winegrowers.
Fiammetta Tarli, his wife, is also a concert pianist, often playing with him. Together they founded in 2014 ICSM (Independent Creative Sound & Music) Records, which was funded by a Kickstarter campaign.
Awards
- 1st Prize and Special Prize in XXV International Chamber Music Competition in Finale Ligure.
- Ivan Vazov Award for the popularisation of Bulgarian Culture.
- Silver Lion Award from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.
References
- Davies, Margaret (March 2007). "Voland Quartet at the Wigmore". Musical Opinion. Retrieved via HighBeam Research 15 October 2014 .
- Dubins, Jerry (September 2008). "Brahms: Pieces for Piano, op. 119. Rhapsodies: No. 1 in b; No. 2 in g. Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel" (recording review). Fanfare Magazine. Retrieved via HighBeam Research 15 October 2014 .
- Harrison, Max (March 2008). "Stankov and Varbanov at the Wigmore". Musical Opinion. Retrieved via HighBeam Research 15 October 2014 .
- Matthew-Walker, Robert (November 2005). "Ivo Varbanov at the Wigmore Hall". Musical Opinion. Retrieved via HighBeam Research 15 October 2014 .
- Matthew-Walker, Robert (July 2006). "Ivo Stankov and Ivo Varbanov at the Wigmore". Musical Opinion. Retrieved via HighBeam Research 15 October 2014 .