HRISTO POPOV, Violinist  “Virtuoso-violinist extraordinaire”, Hristo Popov, brings tremendous experience to the concert stage. Popov made his orchestral debut at the age of nine and since then has performed throughout the United States, England, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Italy, Switzerland, and Mexico as both recitalist and concerto soloist. He is founding member of The New York Empire Trio exclusively presented by Bulgarian Virtuosi Artists. Their Carnegie Hall debut was hailed by The Strad Magazine as “…alert and energetic” and New York Concert Review as “…impassioned and unified, with each instrument shining individually”. Hristo Popov is a prizewinner at the Kozian International Violin Competition, Silver Medalist at the California Young Artist Competition, winner of the Grand Prize at the International Institute of Music (Germany, USA), first place at the American String Teachers' Association Chamber Music Competition. He has been selected as Artist of the Month at the Obama for Arts and Entertainment Organization in April of 2009. He has appeared as guest artist in numerous festivals such as Park City International Music Festival, Plovdiv International Chamber Music Festival, Sofia Musical Weeks Music Festival, Summit Music Festival in New York, Interharmony International Music Festival, among others. Popov has performed in major Performing Arts Centers in the United States including the Carnegie Hall, New York City, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion - Los Angeles, Severance Hall - Cleveland, John F. Kennedy Center - Washington D.C, and Casa Verdi – Milan, Italy.   Hristo Popov began his musical education in Bulgaria at the school for gifted children “Dobrin Petkov” in the city of Plovdiv. However, he has completed most of his studies in the United States of America after winning full scholarship to attend the Idyllwild Arts Academy in California. He holds Bachelor Degree from Oberlin College. As a member of the Anima String Quartet he completed his Master’s degree at Kent State University and was first violinist of the Niles String Quartet at University of Kentucky while completing Doctoral of Musical Arts. Notable mentors include Taras Gabora, Daniel Mason, Wolfgang Marschner, Todor Pelev, Michael Tseitlin, and Oleh Krysa. In addition, he has participated in master classes led by Cho-Liang Lin, Ifrah Nieman, and Tokyo String Quartet.   Dr. Popov is a fierce advocate for the arts in several communities in Ohio. He serves as Artistic Director of the Chagrin Valley Chamber Music Concert Series and is Founder and Artistic Director of International Festival for Strings & More in Sandusky, Ohio – an intense program for string studies that results in numerous performances. He served as Audience Coordinator at Opera Circle in Cleveland, Ohio, and he has appeared as chamber musician, concertmaster and soloist in many of their productions. Formerly, he was the Music Director of The Euclid Orchestra and has been on the faculty at Kent State University. Currently, he teaches at Youngstown State University and Western Reserve Academy in Ohio.   Hristo Popov performs music from the standard repertoire as well as significant works of the contemporary genre.  American composer Thomas Janson has recently composed a number of works specifically for him. He has also premiered works by the American composer and author, Rick Sowash.  Dr. Popov performs over twenty violin concerti and he maintains a wide variety of recital programs. His performances have been documented on TV and radio stations in United States, Mexico, and Bulgaria and has recorded albums for TC Recordings and Bravante Records. He continues to receive rave reviews - As described by Kultur am Ort, Germany, Popov “proved to be a true virtuoso…he fascinated the audience with his warm Bohemian magically sweet tone and unsurpassed brilliance!”   Please visit Hristo Popov at: www.BulgarianVirtuosi.com     AUDIO SAMPLES Sarasate, Caprice Basque -      CLICK HERE  Ponce-Heifetz,  Estrellita -       CLICK HERE  Bartok, Romanian Dances -     CLICK HERE Enesco, Sonata No. 3 -            CLICK HERE      VIDEO SAMPLES Mozart, Concerto No.5 -   CLICK HERE  Dvorak, "Dumky" Trio -     CLICK HERE      NEWS and Cconcert schedule 2009-2010 Season LIVE FROM PRAGUE!   Prague Sinfonietta soloists: Hristo Popov, violin Kalin Ivanov, cello   Rodolfinum - Dvorak Hall BRAHMS DOUBLE CONCERTO click below to listen audio recording of the complete concerto   Allegro       Andante    Vivace non troppo     NEW REVIEW:   Stadt Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Monday, August 17, 2009 Performing Paganini’s Variations on the aria by Paisiello Nel cor piu non mi sento, Hristo Popov proved to be a fascinating violin virtuoso who plays with great finesse and unexpected sound effects.  His bowing and left hand technique was so amazing that the audience was looking for a third hand.  With deceitful humor Popov drew everyone’s attention to the soulful aria.   InterHarmony International Music Festival Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany August 12, 2009 at 8pm Faculty Concert Popov performing Paganini variations Nel cor piu non mi sento August 15, 2009 at 8 pm Festival Gala Concert – Festival Orchestra with soloists Addjei Grabec and Hristo Popov performing Vivaldi Concerto for Two Violins   Lindberg Farm Concert Series Chamber Music Concert August 29, 2009 at 3pm Hristo Popov, violin; Kalin Ivanov, cello; Sarkis Baltaian, piano Works by Schumann, Franck, and Dvorak   University of Alabama, Huntsville Chamber Music Concert August 30, 2009 at 3pm Hristo Popov, violin; Kalin Ivanov, cello; Sarkis Baltaian, piano Works by Schumann, Franck, and Dvorak More info at: www.uah.edu/music/calendar.html   Chagrin Valley Chamber Music Concert Series Vivaldi Four Seasons Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 3pm Western Reserve Academy String Orchestra Marlon Daniel, Guest conductor Hristo Popov, violin More info at: www.chagrinmusic.org   Chamber Music Concert Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music Hristo Popov, violin; Andrew Sords, violin; Regina Mushabac, cello; Eriko Izumida, piano Popov performs Paganini’s variations Nel cor piu non mi sento and Ravel Duo for Violin and Cello More info at: www.bw.edu/academics/conservatory/events   Vidin State Philharmonic Orchestra November 26, 2009 at 7:30 pm Michael Gelfand, Guest conductor Hristo Popov, violin Kalin Ivanov, cello Vibaldi Concerto in Bb and J. C. Bach Sinfonia Concertante More info at: www.vidinphilharmonic.com   Oberlin Conservatory of Music Chamber Music Concert December 5, 2009 at 4pm HristoPopov with violinist Taras Gabora and pianist Sedmara Zakarian-Rutstein and winners of the Yankelevich International Violin Competition Melody Yuan and Chan Lee More info at: new.oberlin.edu/calendar   Chagrin Valley Chamber Music Concert Series December 4, 2009 at 4pm HristoPopov with violinist Taras Gabora and pianist Sedmara Zakarian-Rutstein and winners of the Yankelevich International Violin Competition Melody Yuan and Chan Lee More info at: www.chagrinmusic.org   Chopin s Birthday Concert Monday, February 22, 2010 at 7pm Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus Hristo Popov, violin; Jacek Sobieski, piano; Kalin Ivanov, cello More info at: www.operacirlcle.org   Residency at Kent State University March 2010 Dr. Hristo Popov presents lectures on important trends in violin compositions of the early 20th century More info at: dept.kent.edu/music   Astoria Chamber Music Society April 10, 2010 at 7pm New York Empire Trio Hristo Popov, violin; Kalin Ivanov, cello; Joshua Pierce, piano More Info at: http://www.astoriamusic.org   Brooklyn Library Concert Series April 11, 2010 at 3pm New York Empire Trio Hristo Popov, violin; Kalin Ivanov, cello; Joshua Pierce, piano More Info at: http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/dweck   International Festival for Strings & More, Sandusky 2010 Dr. Hristo Popov, Artistic Director Dates TBA More info at: www.bulgarianvirtuosi.com/festival.html     2008-2009 Season Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 4:00pm Dana Chamber Orchestra  Youngstown State University DeYor Center for Performing Arts Ford Family Recital Hall Youngstown, Ohio Hristo Popov - Conductor and Soloist http://fpa.ysu.edu/calendar.shtml   Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 3:00pm Dana School of Music - New Amici Trio Youngstown State University Bliss Recital Hall Youngstown, Ohio Hristo Popov - violin Michael Gelfand, cello Dror Biran, piano http://fpa.ysu.edu/calendar.shtml   Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 3:00pm Chagrin Valley Chamber Music Concert Series Trio Casa Joseph Rosen - clarinet, Hristo Popov - violin, Eriko Izumida - piano Valley Lutheran Church Chagrin Falls, Ohio www.chagrinmusic.org   Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 12:30PM BROOKLYN COLLEGE PREP CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS NEW YORK EMPIRE TRIO Hristo Popov, Violin Kalin Ivanov, Cello Joshua Pierce, Piano   Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 4:00PM Dweck Center for Performing Arts Brooklyn Public Library NEW YORK EMPIRE TRIO Hristo Popov, Violin Kalin Ivanov, Cello Joshua Pierce, Piano   Friday, October 24, 2008 at 8:00PM Opera Circle celebrates Bach and Rameau The Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus Cleveland, Ohio Hristo popov conducts and plays Bach Violin Concerto in A minor www.operacircle.org   Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 8:00PM Opera Circle celebrates Bach and Rameau The Shrine Church of St. Stanislaus Cleveland, Ohio Hristo popov conducts and plays Bach Violin Concerto in A minor www.operacircle.org   Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 3:00PM The 10 Sonatas for Violin and Piano by Beethoven Concert No. 1 Hristo Popov, violin Per Enflo, piano Dana Chamber Music Concert Series Bliss Recital Hall Youngstown, Ohio http://fpa.ysu.edu/calendar.shtml   Sunday, December 7, 2008 at 3:00PM Chagrin Valley Chamber Music Concert Series NEW YORK EMPIRE TRIO Hristo Popov, Violin Kalin Ivanov, Cello Joshua Pierce, Piano Valley Lutheran Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio www.chagrinmusic.org   Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 8:30PM Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall NEW YORK EMPIRE TRIO Hristo Popov, Violin Kalin Ivanov, Cello Joshua Pierce, Piano www.carnegiehall.org/article/box_office/events/evt_12256.html?selecteddate=01312009   Monday, Fabruary 16, 2009 at 8:00PM Dana Symphony Orchestra Hristo Popov,Conductor Youngstown State University DeYor Center for the Performing Arts Ford Family Recital Hall Youngstown, Ohio http://fpa.ysu.edu/calendar.shtml   Monday, February 23, 2009 at 8:00PM The 10 Sonatas for Violin and Piano by Beethoven Concert No. 2 Hristo Popov, violin Per Enflo, piano Dana Chamber Music Concert Series Bliss Recital Hall Youngstown, Ohio http://fpa.ysu.edu/calendar.shtml   Monday, March 2, 2009 at 8:00PM Dana Chamber Orchestra Hristo Popov,Conductor Youngstown State University DeYor Center for the Performing Arts Ford Family Recital Hall Youngstown, Ohio http://fpa.ysu.edu/calendar.shtml   Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 8:00PM The 10 Sonatas for Violin and Piano by Beethoven Concert No. 3 Hristo Popov, violin Per Enflo, piano Dana Chamber Music Concert Series Bliss Recital Hall Youngstown, Ohio http://fpa.ysu.edu/calendar.shtml   Sunday, March 29, 2009  at 5:00PM Music from the Western Reserve Hristo Popov, violin Jerry Wong, piano Western Reserve Academy Hudson, Ohio www.musicfromthewesternreserve.org   Monday, April 27, 2009 at 8:00pm Dana Symphony Orchestra Hristo Popov,violin Kalin Ivanov, cello Brahms Double Concerto Youngstown State University DeYor Center for the Performing Arts Ford Family Recital Hall Youngstown, Ohio http://fpa.ysu.edu/calendar.shtml