Pancho Vladigerov
International Piano Competition 2025
OUR HISTORY
The history of
Pancho Vladigerov Competition
In June 1977, a letter was received by the Committee for Culture and Art (now the Ministry of Culture) from Michel Glotz, the impresario of the world-renowned pianist Alexis Weissenberg.
It is well known that the distinguished musician is closely connected professionally and personally with the great Bulgarian composer Pancho Vladigerov. In Glotz’s letter, the idea of creating a major international piano competition in Bulgaria was shared for the first time.
The concept was discussed with both Pancho Vladigerov and his exceptional student Weissenberg during his visit to Sofia at that time. The main requirements of the regulations were proposed, one of which was that the competition program must include performances of works by Vladigerov.
Prof. Pancho Vladigerov
Even in the letter, there was a grand intention: the idea that “…the competition must gain great authority; otherwise, it would not be beneficial…”. The beginning was marked in 1986 when the First International Piano Competition was held in Shumen from September 21 to October 5. Thirty-nine pianists from 15 countries, including Bulgaria, represented by seven participants, submitted documents for participation in the competition. The fifteen-member jury was composed of distinguished musicians from around the world, chaired by Professor Parashkev Hadzhiev. Among the first prize winners, bringing much excitement to the Shumen audience, there was one Bulgarian participant – Ivo Kalchev, who took fourth place. The grand prize of the First International Competition was awarded to Alexander Paley from the USSR.
After a 13-year hiatus, the second international edition of the competition was held in 1999, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Vladigerov’s birth. At the suggestion of the famous Bulgarian violinist Mincho Minchev, a violin competition was added to the piano competition. Professor Minchev has been the chairman of the “Pancho Vladigerov” Foundation since its establishment on March 13, 1993. The main task of the foundation is related to organizing and conducting international and national competitions for pianists and violinists bearing the name of Pancho Vladigerov. The international competitions for pianists and violinists have periodic editions every four years (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019), and in 2017, a competition for young instrumentalists was held. During the periods between them, starting from 1995, eight national competitions for pianists and violinists have been held.
The International Chamber Singing Competition “Pancho Vladigerov” was held for the first time in 2014, with its second edition in 2018. From 1995 to 2019, the “Pancho Vladigerov” Foundation, in partnership with the Municipality of Shumen and the Ministry of Culture, organized the following competitions in the name of Pancho Vladigerov: seven international competitions for piano and violin, two international chamber singing competitions, and eight national competitions for piano and violin with participants divided into different age groups – up to 12 years, up to 15 years, up to 19 years, and over 19 years.
This year, the oldest and most significant music educational institution in Bulgaria – the National Music Academy “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” – takes over from the eponymous Foundation and, maintaining the tradition, continues to organize international competitions in the name of the great Bulgarian composer. From March 2 to 9, 2025, the International Piano Competition “Pancho Vladigerov” will be held in Sofia for the first time.