Dobrinka tabakova

"...extremely original and rare music..."
John Adams, composer

"The term "avantgarde" is changing and Dobrinka is one of those lending it a new meaning. Her credo...consists of a simple basic idea: That something new can always be found, even in the most familiar places. Her music, therefore, sets out to explore this zone of familiarity and the unknown, never drawing any borders..."
Tobias Fischer, music writer and broadcaster, www.tokafi.com

Dobrinka Tabakova is an award-winning young British/Bulgarian composer who lives in London. Having graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (BMus & MMus) and King’s College London (PhD, composition), she is making a strong impact on performers and audiences alike, with her striking compositional style. Idiosyncratic rhythms, memorable melodies, post-tonal/modal harmonies and distinct orchestration all form her musical language. She is sought after by many of today’s leading musicians including Maxim Rysanov, Janine Jansen, Gidon Kremer, Julian Rachlin and Nick Daniel.

Among the awards for Dobrinka’s work are the Jean-Frederic Perrenoud Prize and Medal at the 4th Vienna International Music Competition (1995), the GSMD Lutoslawski Composition Prize (1999), the prize for an anthem for the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 (performed at St. Paul’s Cathedral) and the 2007 Adam Prize of King’s College London for the song cycle Sonnets to Sundry Notes of Music. Her works feature on a number of record labels- the anthem Praise on Hyperion (‘startlingly original- immediately appealing’, BBC Music Magazine) and Nocturne, Modetudes (2009) and Whispered Lullaby on the Avie label (Gramophone and BBC Music magazines Editor’s Choice June/August 2007).

During 2008 Dobrinka was one of 17 composers (including John Tavener, Giya Kancheli and Petris Vasks) invited to write a Sun Anthem for the large project of World’s Sun Songs, directed by Maris Sirmais with Riga Youth Choir Kamer, presented at the World Choral Symposium in Copenhagen. Choral works feature prominently in Dobrinka’s output, and she receives regular commissions from chapel and cathedral choirs around the UK and USA. Writing for strings is another major medium and her Concerto for Cello and Strings, commissioned by the Amsterdam Cello Bienalle for Kristine Blaumane and the Amsterdam Sinfonietta, was premiered in 2008 at Amsterdam’s Muziekgebouw. This year she also completed a BBC commission for one of the leading contemporary violists - Maxim Rysanov.

2009 saw the premiere of the large scale solo cello, orchestra and choir symphonic impression On the South Downs, inspired by the downs, written for cellist Natalie Clein and West Sussex Youth Orchestra and Choirs. Also, pianist Evelyn Chang released her solo debut CD on the Avie label, featuring Dobrinka’s set of Modetudes and a newly composed Nocturne. Projects for 2010 include a tour of Such different paths around Europe with Janine Jansen and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. The Academy, lead by Julian Rachlin are also set to tour Dobrinka’s Schubert Arpeggione Sonata arrangement for viola and strings around the USA next spring.

One of the champions of Dobrinka’s music has been the violist Maxim Rysanov, to whom she has dedicated a viola concerto The Song of the Enchanting Viola and three Suites. Maxim has performed the solo suite Pirin and the Suite in Old Style for viola, strings and harpsichord around Europe and premiered the viola and piano BBC/RPS commission Suite in Jazz Style in 2009, followed by performances at festivals in the UK and Europe. He will record Dobrinka’s Schubert Arpeggione arrangement for the BIS label in 2010 with the Swedish Chamber Orchestra.
Dobrinka has been composer-in-residence at the 2007 Leicester International Festival of Music; guest composer at the International Chamber Music Festival, Utrecht and Julian Rachlin and Friends Dubrovnik Festival 2007; composer-in-residence at the Gidon Kremer and Kremerata Baltica Festival 2008 in Sigulda, Latvia and featured composer at the Spectrum concerts, Berlin 20th anniversary concert.

Her works have been broadcast on Canadian, Spanish, Polish, Dutch, Bulgarian and Latvian National Radio Stations, RAI 1, as well as regular broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, including two special recordings with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. In 2005 the Bulgarian National Radio presented her Concerto for Viola and Strings at the International Rostrum of Composers in Vienna. Dobrinka has received commissions from BBC Radio 3 New Generation Artists Scheme; the Royal Philharmonic Society; Amsterdam Cello Bienalle, Orchestra of the Swan; International Chamber Music Festival, Utrecht; Moscow Homecoming Festival; The County of West Sussex; the alternative Dutch orchestra Ricciotti Ensemble; Leicester Festival; Spectrum Series, Berlin; Amsterdam Sinfonietta as well as two chamber operas- Midsummer Magic for the Guildhall School of Music, and The Custard Tart Opera performed at the international ‘Profile Intermedia’ design conference in Bremen.

Born in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in 1980, Dobrinka moved to London in 1991, where she attended Alleyn’s School and the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department, specialising in composition and piano. She graduated with distinction BMus and MMus in composition at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama (GSMD) and was then appointed composition fellow there. In 2007 she was awarded a doctorate in composition from King’s College London (KCL). Her composition teachers have included Simon Bainbridge, Diana Burrell, Robert Keeley and Andrew Schultz as well as masterclasses with John Adams, Louis Andriessen, Alexander Goehr, Marek Kopelent, Philip Manoury, Alessandro Solbiati, Olav-Anton Thommassen and Iannis Xenakis.