Biography
Evgeni Bozhanov secured major awards at the outset of his career thanks to a distinctly unconventional technique that compels him to carry his own piano stool wherever he performs. Partial training in Western Europe brought him notice both abroad and in his native Bulgaria. A compelling recitalist, he has appeared as soloist in leading venues throughout Europe, North America, and East Asia, yet he also pursues chamber-music projects with equal commitment. In 2024 he partnered with violinist Akiko Suwanai for a Decca recording of Brahms’ complete violin sonatas.
Born on March 10, 1984, in Ruse (Rousse), Bulgaria, Bozhanov began piano studies at age six. He trained at the city’s Vesselin Stoyanov National School of the Arts and made his orchestral debut at twelve with the Rousse Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2001 he relocated to Germany for lessons with Boris Bloch at the Folkwang Hochschule Essen; five years later he continued his work in Düsseldorf under Georg Friedrich Schenck at the Hochschule Düsseldorf. Competitive successes began in 1999 with victory at the International Frédéric Chopin Competition in Varna. Subsequent distinctions include second prize at the 2008 Sviatoslav Richter International Piano Competition in Moscow, a finalist placing at the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2009, second place at the 2010 Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels, and a disputed fourth prize at the XVI International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw that same year, when observers claimed the regulations had been altered to his detriment. His first album, Frédéric Chopin: Piano Works, received the German Record Critics’ Prize in 2011.
Bozhanov has played at such prominent sites as the Philharmonie in Berlin, the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Tonhalle in Düsseldorf, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Recital engagements have taken him to Munich, Lisbon, Bergamo for the Piano Festival of Brescia, and Milan. Preferring a lower seating position than standard benches allow, he travels with a custom stool. He remains active in chamber music and returned to the recording studio in 2024, again joining violinist Akiko Suwanai for the Decca release of Brahms’ complete violin sonatas.
Born on March 10, 1984, in Ruse (Rousse), Bulgaria, Bozhanov began piano studies at age six. He trained at the city’s Vesselin Stoyanov National School of the Arts and made his orchestral debut at twelve with the Rousse Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2001 he relocated to Germany for lessons with Boris Bloch at the Folkwang Hochschule Essen; five years later he continued his work in Düsseldorf under Georg Friedrich Schenck at the Hochschule Düsseldorf. Competitive successes began in 1999 with victory at the International Frédéric Chopin Competition in Varna. Subsequent distinctions include second prize at the 2008 Sviatoslav Richter International Piano Competition in Moscow, a finalist placing at the Thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in Fort Worth, Texas, in 2009, second place at the 2010 Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels, and a disputed fourth prize at the XVI International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw that same year, when observers claimed the regulations had been altered to his detriment. His first album, Frédéric Chopin: Piano Works, received the German Record Critics’ Prize in 2011.
Bozhanov has played at such prominent sites as the Philharmonie in Berlin, the Royal Festival Hall in London, the Tonhalle in Düsseldorf, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo. Recital engagements have taken him to Munich, Lisbon, Bergamo for the Piano Festival of Brescia, and Milan. Preferring a lower seating position than standard benches allow, he travels with a custom stool. He remains active in chamber music and returned to the recording studio in 2024, again joining violinist Akiko Suwanai for the Decca release of Brahms’ complete violin sonatas.
Albums
Brahms: The Sonatas for Piano and Violin
2024
Brahms: Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 108: IV. Presto agitato
2024
Brahms: Sonata for Piano and Violin No. 2 in A Major, Op. 100: I. Allegro amabile
2024
Morgen
2019
Evgeni Bozhanov Live in Warsaw
2012
Chopin
2011
2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition: Preliminary Round - Evgeni Bozhanov
2009
2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition: Final Round - Evgeni Boshanov
2009
Live
