Full Biography (boring, boring,!!)
   
Born: 1969 Vidin, Bulgaria. Dual Nationality: Bulgarian/British.
   
Special Musical Interests: Rachmaninov, Skriabin, Russian Music, Debussy, Ravel, Schubert, Chopin, & Raff
   
Previously living & working in Sofia as Assistant Professor of Piano & Lecturer at the
“Pancho Vladerigerov” National Academy of Music, Sofia.

Fluent in all Cyrillic/Slav languages, English, (passable French).
   

Address:  Residing in UK.  In the first instance please make contact by e-mail.
   

Tel.   023 9226 5910   (Int.'l +44 23 92 26 59 10)

e-mail: vs@valentinaseferinova.com

 

 

1978 -1983 Children’s School of Music (+ General Education), Vidin.

1979

 Participated in the first “International Competition of the Arts for Children”, Sofia.
1980 4th Prize – ‘Svetoslav Obretenov (Bulgarian Composer) National Competition’.
1981 1st Prize – Music School Open Competition (for Bulgarian Music).
1982 1st Solo Concert (Vidin).
  Played with Vidin Philharmonic Orchestra (Haydn Concerto for Piano & Orchestra in D Major).
1983 2nd Concert with Vidin Philharmonic Orchestra (Mozart Concerto for Piano &  Orchestra -KV 414 in A Major).
  Participated in Bulgarian Music Festival, Lovech, Bulgaria.
 

1st Place (maximum grade for both Theory and Playing) - Scholarship for entry to Music School, Ruse, Bulgaria (50 competitors for 8 places).
   
 

1983 – 1989   V. Stoianov Music School (Piano, Theory, & General Education), Ruse.
1984 Laureate and Gold Medal in the 6th. Bulgarian National Musical Competition.
  2nd Solo Concert (Ruse).
  2nd Prize - Academy Open Competition (Bulgarian Music).
  3rd Concert with Vidin Philharmonic Orchestra (Mozart Concerto for Piano & Orchestra in D Minor).
1985 1st Prize - Academy Open Competition (Modern Music).
  3rd Solo Concert (Ruse).
 

4th Concert with Vidin Philharmonic Orchestra (Beethoven Concerto for Piano & Orchestra No. 2 in BI Major).
  2nd Prize for Composing - Competition for Young Composers, Music School, Ruse.
1986 1st Prize - Academy Open Competition (Russian Music).
  4th Solo Concert (Vidin).
  5th Solo Concert (Ruse).
  5th Concert with Vidin Philharmonic Orchestra (Bach Concerto for Piano & Orchestra in F Minor).
1987 2nd Prize - National Competition for Chamber Music (with Violin - Grieg Sonata Opus No. 45 in C Minor).
  1st Concert with Ruse Philharmonic Orchestra (Grieg Concerto for Piano & Orchestra in A Minor).
  6th Concert with Vidin Philharmonic Orchestra (Grieg Concerto for Piano & Orchestra in A Minor).
  1st Prize - Academy Open Competition (French Music).
  6th Solo Concert (Ruse).
  7th Solo Concert (Ruse).
1987 8th Solo Concert (Vidin).
1988 - '89

Accompanist to ‘Boyan Chonos’ choir from NW Bulgaria; on tour throughout Bulgaria, and then to International Choir Festival in Nuoro, Sardinia, Italy.
1989 3rd Place - Competition to gain entry to National Academy of Music, Sofia (120 competitors for 34 places).
   
 

1989 - 1994   National Academy of Music, Sofia

(Theory of Music; Analysis; History; Harmonia; Polyphonia; Conducting; Composing; Bulgarian Folk Lore; Piano Playing).
1990 9th Solo Concert (Sofia).
1991 10th Solo Concert (Sofia).
1992 11th Solo Concert (Sofia - Programme of Chopin, Debussy, and Schubert).
  12th Solo Concert (Sofia - Rachmaninov programme).
 

2nd Prize (by 1 point in 200 - Instrumental, Solo, Open Class) International Eisteddfod, Cleveland, UK. (Honours graded for both Chopin: Fantasie F-moll Op. 49, and Debussy: L’Isle Joyeuse).
  2 Charity Concerts, Middlesborough, UK.
  13th Solo Concert (National Palace of Culture, Sofia; programme of Rachmaninov and Skriabin).
1993 1st Prize - (Diploma and Title "Laureate of “Earth and Music”) in Open International Competition.
  Summer Concert Tour, with Bulgarian Male Voice (“Karval”) Choir, of Hungary, Austria, Germany.
  1st Prize – National Academy Open Competition.
  Christmas Concert Tour to Istanbul, Turkey, with Bulgarian Male Voice (“Karval”) Choir.
1993 - '94

Thesis

Year

 Thesis Title: ‘Nature of intonation and texture of the piano works of S V  Rachmaninov’.
1994 Nov. Awarded Master’s Degree of Music (Theory).
 

Accepted for post graduate studies by Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff, UK. (Funding problems prevented the taking up of this offer).
1994 - '96 Teaching position at the ‘Children’s Music School’, Sofia.
1995

Accepted for postgraduate studies by Royal Academy of Music, London. (Funding problems prevented the taking up of this offer).
1996 May 2 of my junior pupils awarded 2nd Prize in open piano competition.
  22nd May Performed concert premier of arrangements by Prof. Dr. L Dinolov,  prepared under my editorship, of works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Raychev.
  Autumn Works published.
  Autumn Accepted as Assistant Professor of Piano & Lecturer at National Academy of Music, Sofia.
  3rd Dec. Concert performance of Mozart Sonata Concertante (Transcription of the Sonata for 2 pianos in D Major, KV 448, by Prof. Dr. L Dinolov) for 2 pianos (myself and my Prof.) & Orchestra at National Palace of Culture, Sofia. (also broadcast on Bulgarian National Radio)
1997 21st Mar. Concert premier of arrangements for 4 hands of works by Mozart and Tchaikovsky; National Palace of Culture, Sofia.
  1st April Solo Recital; including works by Schubert and Skriabin; National Palace of Culture, Sofia. (Also broadcast on Bulgarian National Radio).
  11th May Featured in a Television programme broadcast by Bulgarian National TV.
  Summer Attended a series of Master Classes and Workshop given by Conductor Benjamin Zander, at The Sinfonia Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK.
  10th Dec. Solo recital ‘Schubert Night’ - National Palace of Culture, Sofia.
1998 Feb./Mar. 4-city solo concert tour of Bulgaria (Varna, Ruse, Plovdiv, Sofia).
  Mar. Concert performance of Prokofiev's "Peter & the Wolf" Chamber Hall ‘Bulgaria’, Sofia.
  May Musician’s Seminar, Plovdiv.
  Sept. Concert in Sofia at Hall 'Bulgaria' – premier performance of works by Debussy for 4 hands ‘Integrale’.  Followed by recording for National TV, seminars, CD, etc.
     
 

Sept./Dec.

 Moved to take up residency in UK.
     
1999 Apr. ‘Closed’ recital performance of Rachmaninov cycles for the AGM of The Rachmaninoff Society (President: Vladimir Ashkenazy), Codshall, Nr. Wolverhampton.
  Apr. Solo Recital - Rachmaninov Op. 16 and Op. 3 – Bognor Regis Recital Hall.
  May Solo Recital - Rachmaninov Op. 16 and Op. 3 – Havant Arts Festival.
  May Soloist of the Portsmouth New Music Orchestra - under John Webber - Portsmouth.
  May Began employment as Piano Lecturer at Regis School of Music.
  June Solo Recital - Bach-Liszt ‘Prelude & Fugue in A minor’; Schubert-Liszt Six Song Transcriptions; Rachmaninov cycles – New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth.
  June Soloist of the Portsmouth New Music Orchestra - under John Webber - Portsmouth.
  July Solo Recital - Rachmaninov Op. 16 and Op. 3 – Chichester Festivities ‘Fringe ‘99’.
  July Chamber Music with Devorina Gamalova (Violin/Viola) - Mozart, Schumann, Chopin, De Falla - Bognor Regis Recital Hall.
  21st Aug. (Debussy’s B’date 22nd. Aug. 1862) Complete works of Debussy for 4 hands (‘Integrale’) with Emilia Mihaylova; Claude Debussy House and Museum, St. Germain en Laye, Paris.
  Sept. Began employment as Piano Lecturer at South Downs College, Havant.
  Sept. Piano duet with Venera Bojkova, as 'Va i Ve'; Prokofiev - Bognor Regis Recital Hall.
  Sept Piano duet with Venera Bojkova, as 'Va i Ve'; Prokofiev, Dvořák, Rachmaninov - New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth.
  Oct. Chamber Music with Devorina Gamalova (Violin) - Tartini, Mozart, Grieg, Chopin, De Falla, Goleminov - Holy Trinity Church, Prince Consort Road, London SW7.
  Oct. Piano duet with Venera Bojkova, as 'Va i Ve' - Prokofiev, Rachmaninov - Palace Green Lunchtime Concert, Durham.
  Dec. Soloist of the PNMO and Portsmouth Youth Orchestra - Saint-Saëns, Carnival of the Animals - Portsmouth.
2000 Jan. Lecture at Royal Naval Club, Portsmouth.
  Jan. Debussy "Integrale" for 4 hands with Emilia Mihaylova - Regis Recital Hall, Bognor Regis.
  Jan. Debussy "Integrale" for 4 hands with Emilia Mihaylova - Menuhin Room, Portsmouth.
  June Solo Recital 'The last opuses of Chopin' at The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth.
  July Charity concert - Chopin, Prokofiev; The Recital Hall, Bognor Regis;  (with Maya Dimitrova).
  Aug. Master classes with Bernard Roberts at the HISS.
  Aug. Piano duet with Venera Bojkova, as 'Va i Ve'; Rachmaninov, Britten, Pancho Vladigerov - Hereford.
  Nov. Concert with Devorina Gamalova (violin/viola) - Beethoven, Franck, Brahms, Goleminov - Bulgarian Embassy, London.
  Nov. Concert with Devorina Gamalova (violin/viola) - Beethoven, Franck, Brahms, Goleminov - Warwick University Music Centre.
  Nov. Solo Piano Recital - Schubert,Prokofiev, Debussy, Scriabin, Pancho Vladigerov - at The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth.
2001 Feb. Morning Solo Recital at Chichester Centre of Arts - Schubert.
  Feb. Chichester Cathedral - Lunchtime Solo Recital   - Scriabin, Debussy, Vladigerov.
  Feb. Evening Solo Recital for Gosport & Fareham Music Society (Celebrity Series) - Schubert, Scriabin, Debussy.
  Feb. Evening charity concert, Portsmouth Cathedral, with Amonn Al-Mahrouq (Saxophone) - Bach, Glazounov, Scriabin, Vladigerov, Gotoski, Amy, Wirth, Saint-Saëns.
  Feb. Concert with Devorina Gamalova (violin/viola) at The Recital Hall, Bognor Regis - Tartini, Elgar, Sarasate, Vieuxtemps, Goleminov, Grieg.
  Mar. Concert with Devorina Gamalova (violin/viola) at New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth - Bach, Shostakovich, Saint-Saëns, Franck, Elgar.
  Sept. "SAXO-FUN Day" with Amonn Al-Mahrouq (Saxophone) - informal day of Workshop/ Master Class/Fun. Followed by a Recital in the main Hall Bach, Bozza, Marchello, Albinoni, Lionel Richie and others.
  Sept. Accompanist to Amonn Al-Mahrouq (Saxophone) music by Quate, Glazounov, Gotkovsky, Telemann, Dubois. The Recital Hall, Bognor Regis.
  Nov. Chamber Music with Devorina Gamalova (Violin) - Bach, Paganini, Schubert & Prokofiev. Westridge Drawing Room,  Highclere, (Nr Newbury).
  Dec. Hall No. 9, National Palace of Culture, Sofia - with Venera Bojkova as The Piano Duet 'VaiVe' - Benjamin Britten - Introduction and rondo alla burlesca, Op. 23 No. 1; Mazurka elegiaca, Op. 23 No. 2; Liszt - Variations on a Theme of Paganini  - Transcription by Prof. Dr. L. Dinolov;  Rachmaninoff - Suite for 2 pianos Op.17.
  Dec./Jan. CD "Music for Two Pianos" released.
2002 Apr. Concert with Devorina Gamalova (violin/viola), Chichester Cathedral – Sonatas by Tartini, Mozart, Glinka, Paganini.
  May Recital with Amonn Al-Mahrouq (Saxophone), Farnham Maltings, Surrey – Telemann, Bozza, Quate, Matitia.
  Sept. Solo Recital, New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth - Raff - Grande Sonata Op.14; Trois Morceaux Op.2: Pancho Vladigerov - 3 Pieces Op.15; Song Op.21 No. 2.
  Nov. Solo recital, St. Mary's Church, Sidlesham , W. Sussex. - Schubert - Waltzes, arr. by Prokofiev for piano: Vladigerov -  Song Op. 21 No. 2; Three Pieces for Piano Op. 15: Raff Grande Sonate op. 14; Trois Morceaux Op. 2.
  Dec. Release of Solo CD - previously unrecorded piano works of Joachim Raff.
  Dec. Solo Recital, Regis Recital Hall, Bognor - Raff - Fantasie Sonata Op. 168 ; Trois Morceaux Op. 2; and Grande Sonate Op. 14.
2003 Feb. Chichester Cathedral - Lunchtime solo recital - Raff - Fantasie Sonata Op. 168; Pancho Vladigerov - 3 Pieces Op.15; Raff - Trois Morceaux Op. 2.
  June Accompanist to Serena Moore Dip.LCM(Flute); New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth.
  July Chichester Festivities - Solo Recital, St. John's Chapel - Schubert - Sonata in A minor, D537 (1817); Scriabin - Three Pieces, Op. 2; Raff - Trois Morceaux, Op. 2;  Rachmaninov - Moments Musicaux, Op. 16 Nos. 3 & 4.
  Oct. Chamber Music with Devorina Gamalova (Violin/Viola) - Tartini, Gould, Stravinsky, Paganini. Westridge Drawing Room,  Highclere, (Nr Newbury).
  Oct. Concert with Devorina Gamalova (Violin/Viola) at The Recital Hall, Bognor Regis - Tartini, Gould, Stravinsky, Hummel, Paganini.
2004 Feb. Concert with Devorina Gamalova (Violin/Viola) at Chichester Cathedral - Tartini, Mozart, Franck.
  May Accompanist to Jason Weir Dip.ATCL (Violin); Portsmouth Music Club, Rotunda, Old Portsmouth.
  June Concert tour of NE England (North Shields, Durham, Newcastle, South Shields) - Raff, Scriabin, Vladigerov, Rachmaninov.
  June MasterClass given in Gateshead - theme Brahms Intermezzos.
  Sept. Winchester Cathedral Solo Recital - Raff, Scriabin, Vladigerov.
  Sept. St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London - Solo Recital "Pianists of the World" series - Raff, Scriabin, Vladigerov.
2005 April 2nd Recital for The Rachmaninoff Society's A.G.M (President: Vladimir Ashkenazy), and in the presence of 2 of Rachmaninov's Great Grandchildren - pieces by Rachmaninov (Moments Musicaux No. 3 in B minor, Op.16.;  Moments Musicaux No. 4 in E minor, Op.16.): Skriabin (3 Pieces for Piano Op.2 [Etude; Prelude; Impromptu alla Mazurka]): Vladigerov (Prelude from '3 Pieces for Piano', Op.15. Pessen [Song] from 'Bulgarian Suite', Op.21 No.2.; Rhapsodie 'Vardar' Op.16.). .
  May Chichester Cathedral - Lunchtime solo recital; pieces by Vladigerov (Pessen [Song] from 'Bulgarian Suite', Op.21 No.2.; Rhapsodie 'Vardar' Op.16.);  Skriabin (3 Pieces for Piano Op.2. - Etude, Prelude, Impromptu alla Mazurka);  Joachim Raff (La Fileuse op. 157 No. 2; Elegie op. 2 No 1); Rachmaninov (Moments Musicaux No. 3 in B minor, Op.16.: Moments Musicaux No. 4 in E minor, Op.16.).
  June Concert with Devorina Gamalova (Violin/Viola) at St. Anne & St. Agnes Lutheran Church, Gresham Street, London EC2V 7BX. Pieces by Kreisler, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Chopin, Rachmaninov, Wieniawski, Vladigerov, Massenet, Sarasate.
  June Concert with Devorina Gamalova (Violin/Viola) at Holy Trinity Church, Prince Consort Road, London SW7.  Pieces by Kreisler, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Chopin, Rachmaninov, Wieniawski, Vladigerov, Massenet, Sarasate.
  Oct. Concert with Devorina Gamalova (Violin/Viola) at Cottingham Musical Festival Concert Series, The Methodist Church, Cottingham, Hull - pieces by Tartini (Sonata Didona Abbabandonata in G minor for Violin and Piano); Beethoven (Sonata in A Op.47 - the "Kreutzer" Sonata): Kreisler (Prelude and Allegro); Vladigerov (Song/"Pessen"): Paganini (Sonata): Massenet (Meditation): Bruch ( Romance for Viola and Piano): Sarasate (Gypsy Melodies).
  Dec. Concert at New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth - 2nd piano in a performance of Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana" (Work for 2 pianos, percussion, and choir.)
2006 Jan Concert with Devorina Gamalova (Violin/Viola) at Chichester Cathedral - Sarasate, Chopin, Beethoven.
  Aug Times Educational Supplement reports that South Downs College has best Music Dept. results out of all similar colleges.
  Nov. Live Concert recording at South Downs College (Raff, Vladigerov, Rachmaninov)
2007 May Full evening recital at St. Mary's Church, Sidlesham. Programme of Rachmaninov (Morceaux de Fantasie, op. 3; Moments Musicaux, op. 16 No 3 & 4); Frederic Chopin (Nocturne, op. 55 No 1; Polonaise, op. 71 No 1); Zygmunt Noskowski (Impressions, op. 29); Alexander Scriabin (Etude, op. 2 No 1; Two Preludes, op.27; Two Poems, op. 32); Pantcho Vladigerov (Song, op. 21 No 2; Prelude, op. 15 No 1).
  Sept. Under permanent contract to South Downs College, Waterlooville, as Music/Piano Lecturer.
  Oct. Recordings for Cameo-Classics documentary film about Jewish-German Composers of 19th C. (Mendelssohn, Jadassohn, Hiller.)
  Oct. Chichester Cathedral - Lunchtime solo recital; pieces by Chopin (Polonaise, Opus 71 No. 1 in D minor); Zygmunt Noskowski (Impressions, op. 29); Felix Mendelssohn (Sanft mit Empfindung, from '7 Characteristic Pieces', Op 7 No 1); Salomon Jadassohn (Bal Masqué, 'Sept Airs de ballet', Op 26); Pancho Vladigerov (Pessen (Song), from 'Bulgarian Suite', Op 21 No 2; Ratchenitza, from "Choumene miniatures pour piano", Op 29).
2008 Mar. Full Evening recital at Cottingham Methodist Church, Hallgate, Cottingham, East Yorkshire.  Programme: Rachmaninov, Chopin Noskowski, Skriabin, Vladigerov.
  May Warsaw, Poland: Performing and recording of piano works by Polish Romantic era composer Zygmunt Noskowski - for leading Polish Record Label 'Acte Preable'.
  July Full Evening recital at Tintinhull Court, Tintinhull, Nr Yeovil, Somerset. Programme: Noskowski, Skriabin, Vladigerov, Rachmaninov.
  Dec. Soloist with The Karelia State Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Hall, Petrazavodsk, Russia (Musical Director Marius Stravinsky). Salomon Jadassohn - Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No 1, op. 89 in C Minor; a première public performance since the composer's death. Conductor: Denis Vlasenko.
     
   

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