Hailed as “Virtuoso-violinist extraordinaire” by Musical Horizons - Bulgaria, 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!”
