Bulgarian Composer Vasili Kazandzhiev Dies at 89

Renowned Bulgarian composer, conductor and educator Vasili Kazandzhiev has passed away. Born on 10 September 1934 in Marten, Ruse Province, he began piano studies at age ten and composition training under Konstantin Iliev (1948‑1952). After graduating from the State Conservatory in Sofia, he served as a conductor at the Sofia Opera (1957‑1964) and founded the Sofia Chamber Orchestra, which he led from 1962 to 1978. From 1979 to 1993 he was chief conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio. Kazandzhiev taught orchestral conducting at the conservatory, became a professor, and was elected a corresponding member (2005) and later academician (2009) of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Over his career he composed 124 works, including three symphonies, ballets, film scores and numerous chamber pieces, and helped promote Bulgarian music abroad.