Nadezhda Tzanova – Pianist and Artistic Visionary
Early Life and Education:
Nadezhda Tzanova began her piano journey at the age of five, quickly showing exceptional talent. At six, she became a pupil of the renowned Ukrainian teacher Elena Yuliyanova. By 11, she won first prize in the "Our Children Play Bach" competition in Bulgaria and claimed the Grand Prix the following year. This success paved the way for more than 20 prestigious awards in local and international piano competitions, including the Sergei Prokofiev Competition (Donetsk, Ukraine), the Seiler Competition (Sofia, Bulgaria), and the Rhodes Piano Competition (Greece). Other notable victories included the Franz Schubert Competition (Ruse), Young Musical Talents (Sofia), and Music and Earth (Sofia).
At just 16, Nadezhda made her debut with the Kharkov Symphony Orchestra in Ukraine, performing Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto. Her early achievements marked the beginning of a promising musical career.
Academic and Professional Development:
In 2005, Nadezhda enrolled at the Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Academy of Music, where she studied under Professors Stella Dimitrova-Maystorova and Iliya Chernaev. During her academic years, she embarked on her first European tour, performing in cities like Vienna, Prague, Budapest, and Bratislava. Recognized for her talent, she received scholarships from the Todoroff Foundation, the Globul M3 Communications Foundation, and the Solty Foundation.
One of her standout performances was during the gala concert commemorating the 110th anniversary of the National Academy of Music and the 80th anniversary of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, where she performed Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in Bulgaria Hall under the baton of Martin Klepetko.
Nadezhda participated in numerous festivals such as Pianissimo, Apollonia, Austrian Music Weeks, and Sofia Music Weeks, performing both in Bulgaria and internationally.
Further Studies and Early Career:
In 2011, Nadezhda graduated with a Master’s Degree in Piano and began specialization at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels under Prof. Boyan Vodenicharov. Concurrently, she completed her studies at the Schola Cantorum in Paris, where she earned the prestigious Diploma Di Concert, the highest award for concert pianists.
Her international career was launched in 2013 when she won first prize in the Flame International Piano Competition in Paris, marking the beginning of her global performances. She has since toured extensively, performing solo recitals and collaborating with orchestras in Japan, China, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Germany, and the USA.
Collaborations and Major Performances:
Nadezhda has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Kharkov Symphony Orchestra (Ukraine), Tokyo Symphony Orchestra (Japan), Illinois Philharmonic (USA), Regensburg Symphony (Germany), and the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, among others. She has also performed with the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra and the Salzburg Soloists Chamber Orchestra.
Her collaboration with trumpet player Petar Makedonski formed a highly successful duo, winning five awards from local and international competitions in a short time. Their performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto, often performed with various orchestras and conductors, became one of their signature pieces. Their concert repertoire was featured on French national radio in 2018, and recordings were added to the "Golden Fund" of the Bulgarian National Radio. In 2017, the duo received the "Musician of the Year" award in the Ensemble category.
Recent Projects and Awards:
In 2021, Nadezhda performed a special concert at the Palace of Catherine the Great, with the recording broadcast to a large Russian audience on the occasion of the May 24th holiday.
Her creativity extended beyond the piano, as in 2022, she realized the original project "Esperanza for Ballet", with music composed by Academician Vasil Kazandjiev. This collaboration, which began in 2019, featured choreography by Arsen Mehrabyan of the Swedish Royal Ballet and starred dancers from the Swedish Royal Ballet and Sofia Opera. This marked the debut of Kazandjiev’s first chamber ballet.
In 2023, the second part of her Esperanza trilogy was realized with "Virtuoso Movements – Esperanza in Classical Music", once again in collaboration with Kazandjiev. This multidisciplinary work brought together music, text, and movement, referencing mythological figures like Aphrodite, Pythia, and Orpheus.
Her creative achievements were recognized in 2023 when she won the prestigious "Musician of the Year" award for Active Creative Work, part of the Allegro Vivace program, for her active contributions to music and culture.
Leadership and Future Vision:
At the end of 2023, Nadezhda began working on establishing a foundation named after her collaborator, Academician Vasil Kazandjiev, involving his students and protégés.
In September 2024, she was appointed Artistic Director of the Theodora von Auersperg (TvA) International Foundation, where she continues to push the boundaries of classical music and arts.
Repertoire and Media Presence:
Nadezhda’s repertoire is diverse, covering both solo performances and chamber music. She frequently appears on television and makes recordings for the Bulgarian National Radio, solidifying her presence as one of the most versatile and dynamic musicians of her generation.
