Stefan Todorov Iliev
Composer, pedagogue, music theoretician, and public figure
Born on February 4, 1946, in Sofia, Bulgaria. He graduated from the Bulgarian State Conservatory [now “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” National Academy of Music] with a degree in composition under Prof. Parashkev Hadjiev (1980). He has additional qualifications in mass communications and cultural management from the University of National and World Economy (1999).
Early on, he distinguished himself as a pianist, arranger, orchestrator, and composer. He was a pianist at the Bulgarian State Conservatory, in the Ensemble of Labor Service, in the Ensemble of the Bulgarian People’s Army, in choral groups, chamber ensembles, bands, and groups.
He composes in a wide range of genres. He is the author of music for films and theatrical productions, symphonic, chamber, choral, and children’s music, music for TV and radio programs, and more9. He has over 50 songs for unison and mixed choirs, over 100 children’s songs, songs in the entertainment genre, suites, and dozens of arrangements of folk songs, pieces for wind orchestra, and more. He composes electroacoustic, computer, and experimental music.
His professional interests also include creating music with a pedagogical focus – “Album for Piano” for children (1989), Children’s Album for Piano based on folklore (2020), “Vocal Practicum”, “Manual for Pop Singing” (co-authored with G. Kordov) (1990) and others.
He taught music theory disciplines at the “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” National Academy of Music (1988-1992) and “Neofit Rilski” South-West University – Blagoevgrad (1993-1994), at the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts – Plovdiv, and at the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies. He writes theoretical works in the field of musical communication, music and mass communications, music and the intellectual development of adolescents, music and advertising communications, musical innovation, music design, musical values in culture. He has scientific works and publications in the fields of music, advertising and media, and art management.
He is the recipient of numerous national and five international awards for composition: “Second UNESCO Tribune” for electroacoustic music (Sweden, 1988), International Composition Competition “Piano Duo Composition” (Japan, 1992 and 1994), XXIV Composition Competition – Farmington (USA), III International Competition for Choral Sacred Music in Lesso (Spain). He has participated with his works in prestigious international festivals and other forums of musical art: XIX, XX Festivals of Experimental Music “Syntheses” in Bourges, France (1989 and 1990), “Prix Ars Electronica” in Linz, Austria and others.
His works have been published in various editions. He is a member of the International Piano Duo Association (Tokyo, Japan) and the “Sound Ecology” Association (Canada). He is a member of juries for international and national music festivals and competitions.
For his long-standing and versatile creative activity, he is a member of four creative unions. He is a member of the Governing Board of the Union of Bulgarian Composers. He is a member of the Governing Board of “Musicautor”. He is a member of the Governing Board of the “Sound Directors and Composers” guild within the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers. He is a member of the Union of Bulgarian Journalists. He has been Chairman of the “Sound Directors and Composers” guild within the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers. He has been a member of the Governing Board of the Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers. He has served two terms as Chief Secretary and Chairman of the Creative Fund of the Union of Bulgarian Composers. He has served two terms as a member of the Public Council of the Bulgarian National Radio.
He has worked in the state cultural administration in various positions: at the Bulgarian National Radio – head of production in the music editorial office, chief editor (“Musical Ensembles, Production and International Activities”) and director of the “Music” Directorate; at the Ministry of Culture – director and head of department of the National Centre for Music and Dance. In the “Music and Dance” Directorate and the “Performing Arts and Creative Generation” Directorate at the Ministry of Culture, he has also been a head of department and chief expert.
He has participated in the development of concepts and strategies in the field of musical culture, and in selection committees for municipal and state cultural institutions. He has participated in committees for program sessions and thematic programs of the Ministry of Culture, the National Fund “Culture” at the Ministry of Culture, and the Sofia Program “Culture” at the Sofia Municipality.
Selected Works:
- For Symphony Orchestra: Dance Suite (1985)43; Rhapsody “Bulgarica” (1986), Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1978-1979) and others.
- Chamber Music: Wind Quintet (1981); “Prelude and Toccata” for French horn, trumpet, 2 trombones, and tuba (1978); String Quartets: No. 1 (1980), No. 2 (1982). Trios for flute, oboe, and bassoon No. 1 (1979), No. 2 (1983); Capriccio for trumpet and piano (1976); “Bulgarian Dances” for violin and piano – cycle; Three Pieces for flute and piano (1984); Chamber Music for woodwind instruments (duos and trios) (2019) and others.
- For Piano: Sonatas: No. 1 (1979), No. 2 (1984), No. 3 (1985); Variations for Piano (1978); Children’s Album for Piano based on folklore (2020) and others. For two pianos – Rondo (1976); Children’s Album (1980); “Reminiscences” and others.
- Vocal Music: Cycle 3 songs for mezzo-soprano and piano, lyrics by P. Matev (1982); Cycle 3 songs for mezzo-soprano and piano, lyrics by St. Pencheva (1986), music and songs for unison and mixed choirs, suites, and arrangements of folk songs and others.
- Music for Films: “A Midnight Gift” (1984) – two-part television film; “Stefan Karadja” (1989) – television series; feature films – “19 Meters of Wind” (1986); “Eva on the Third Floor” (1987); “8% Love” (1990); documentary films – “Boyana Church”, “Villa Armira”, “Magura Cave”, “The Salt Pit in Provadia” (2018) and others.
- Music for Children’s Radio Theatre and Television Productions: “Pepi the Bunny” – TV series; TV production “Grandpa Frostland” and others; for radio theater – “Bell Forest”, “Bonnie the Barbel and Pero the Gudgeon”, “Pippi Longstocking” and others.
- Electroacoustic Music: “Childwood Reminiscences” (1988), “Concerto for Harp and Tape” (1983); “Planetarium” cycle (1988); “Dedications” (1990). “Choral on the Files” (1995) “Passion Permutato” (1996).
Through his long-standing work, and still today, he contributes to the development of Bulgarian musical culture, to the synthesis of music with other arts and media, to the creative growth of young people, as well as to the popularization of our national musical tradition and art in Europe and the world.
Stefan Iliev has been awarded the highest distinction “Golden Age” – a necklace from the Minister of Culture for his exceptional contribution to the development and establishment of Bulgarian culture and national identity, and on the occasion of May 24 – Day of the Holy Brothers Cyril and Methodius, of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture, and of Slavic Literature.
