site.bta95th Birth Anniversary of Prof. Pencho Stoyanov, Musicologist, Composer, Educator

February 9, 2026 marks the 95th birth anniversary of Prof. Pencho Stoyanov - musicologist, composer, and educator.

Pencho Stoyanov was born on February 9, 1931, in Sofia. In 1955, he graduated from the State Academy of Music in Sofia, having studied composition under Parashkev Hadzhiev and Pancho Vladigerov. He went on to specialize and study at the Moscow Conservatory under Soviet composer Aram Khachaturian and studied music theory with Vladimir Protopopov, Victor Zuckerman and Sergey Skrebkov. In 1955, Stoyanov began teaching at the State Academy of Music, initially as a harmony and music theory assistant, later progressing to music analysis. By 1972, he had become a professor, and nine years later he received his doctorate in art history.

Stoyanov spent his entire professional teaching career at the Academy of Music and Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski, but also lectured in Germany, Austria and South Korea. He participated in symposia and scientific conferences in Germany, France, Italy, Hungary, Czechia, Russia, Greece and Yugoslavia. Pencho Stoyanov is the author of numerous music theory works and textbooks. He was Secretary of the Union of Bulgarian Composers from May 11, 1976 to May 14, 1980, and its Vice-Chairman from May 14, 1980 to May 14, 1985. He was the author of five symphonies, three symphonic poems, three overtures and over 350 choral songs, as well as scientific works, monographs and articles devoted to musical style, language and form. He was awarded the titles of Honoured Artist (May 1975), People's Artist (May 1982) and Man of the Year by the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge for 1991/1992. He was also awarded the Order of the People's Republic of Bulgaria, First Class, in February 1981.

As a composer, he received awards for his work in Poland and France. His extensive oeuvre includes five symphonies, three symphonic poems, three overtures, a divertimento for string orchestra, two string quartets, a piano quintet, three sonatas for violin and piano, and piano pieces. He also composed two cycles of solo songs and choral pieces.

Prof. Pencho Stoyanov was one among several artists who received a lifetime state cash prize for particular merits to the Bulgarian state and nation in 2016.

He died in 2020; his son, the composer and pianist Mihail Stoyanov (1968-2020), survived him by just one week.