Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Bulgaria

Birth

:

December 19, 1937 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Milcho Leviev is a Bulgarian-American pianist, composer, and arranger who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on December 19, 1937, in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, Leviev showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He received his formal education at the State Academy of Music in Sofia, where he studied composition, orchestration, and conducting. In 1966, Leviev won first prize at the International Jazz Festival in Prague, which marked the beginning of his career as a jazz musician. He went on to perform with some of the most prominent jazz musicians of the time, including Don Ellis, Stan Getz, and Freddie Hubbard. Leviev's unique style, which blended elements of Bulgarian folk music with jazz, earned him critical acclaim and a loyal following. In addition to his work in jazz, Leviev has also made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He has composed numerous works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo piano, many of which have been performed by leading orchestras and musicians around the world. Leviev's compositions are characterized by their intricate harmonies, rhythmic complexity, and use of Bulgarian folk melodies. One of Leviev's most notable works is his Piano Concerto No. 2, which was premiered by the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra in 1972. The concerto, which is in three movements, showcases Leviev's virtuosic piano playing and his ability to seamlessly blend elements of jazz and classical music. The work has since been performed by numerous orchestras around the world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra. Leviev's contributions to the world of classical music have not gone unnoticed. He has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Bulgarian State Prize for Music in 1972 and the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship in 2000. In 2018, Leviev was awarded the Order of the Balkan Mountains, one of Bulgaria's highest honors, for his contributions to Bulgarian culture. Despite his success as a musician, Leviev has faced numerous challenges throughout his life. In 1971, he was arrested by the Bulgarian government for his involvement in the jazz scene, which was seen as a threat to the communist regime. Leviev was eventually released, but he was forced to leave Bulgaria and emigrate to the United States. In the United States, Leviev continued to pursue his career as a musician and composer. He became a naturalized citizen in 1983 and has since become a respected member of the American music community. Leviev has taught at numerous universities and conservatories, including the University of Southern California and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Leviev's legacy as a musician and composer continues to inspire generations of musicians around the world. His unique blend of jazz and classical music, combined with his use of Bulgarian folk melodies, has created a sound that is both innovative and timeless. Leviev's contributions to the world of music have earned him a place among the greats of classical and jazz music, and his influence will continue to be felt for years to come.

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