site.btaStudent from Taraclia Branch of Ruse University Wins First Place in International Music Performance Competition

Pianist Bogdan Kasa won first prize at the International Music Performance Competition ORPHEUS – 2026, organised by Alecu Russo State University in the city of Balti, Moldova. He is a second-year student at the Taraclia branch of Angel Kanchev University of Ruse, specializing in Music Education Pedagogy.

He took part in the 15–20 age category and presented two works – Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy and Etude No. 9, Op. 10 by Frederic Chopin. Seven competitors took part in his age category.

“The competition brought together a total of 40 pupils and students from pre-university and higher music and arts institutions from across Moldova, including students from music schools and the Sergei Rachmaninoff Republican Music Lyceum in Chisinau,” the pianist’s teacher, Assoc. Prof. Vitaliy Todorov, told BTA.

The International Competition ORPHEUS – 2026 took place on April 27-29 in both in-person and online formats and aimed to discover and encourage young talents in the field of musical art.

The programme included three main categories – instrumental, vocal and music-pedagogical. The instrumental section featured piano, accordion, string and wind instruments, as well as keyboard ensembles.

All participants received certificates, while those ranked first, second and third were awarded certificates and trophies.

The competition provided a stage for professional performance and supported the artistic development of young musicians.

“The distinction awarded to the student from the Taraclia branch of the University of Ruse highlights the successful training of future music educators and performers at the new academic branch,” the organisers added.