Vesko Panteleev – Eschkenazy is one of the most successful musicians of Bulgaria. Since 1999 the virtuoso player has ben a concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam. There Vesko Panteleev – Eschkenazy plays a unique Guarneri del Gesu violin, created in 1738. Listen now to a fragment of part three of a concert for violin and orchestra by Khachaturyan. Soloist is Vesko Panteleev – Eschkenazy, performing together with the Dutch Philharmonic Orchestra.

Vesko Panteleev – Eschkenazy was born in 1970 in a family of musicians. After graduating from the Pancho Vladigerov Academy of Music in Sofia he spent two years to be part of the master class of Ifrah Neeman in London. The violin player has won a number of prestigious awards and has performed together with world-famous musicians like Alexis Weissenberg, Montserrat Caballe, Placido Domingo and others. Vesko Panteleev – Eschkenazy is also an excellent performer of chamber music. His collaboration with pianist Lyudmil Angelov has led to the recording of several albums. 

Despite his busy schedule, Vesko Panteleev – Eschkenazy always finds time for concerts in Bulgaria, to the joy of Bulgarian fans. On April 19th, the violin player took part in a concert dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Chamber Opera in the city of Blagoevgrad. Here is more from the musician himself.

“The director of the opera, Lina Angelova, called me to tell me about the idea for this concert. I gladly accepted the offer, as I like to perform in places in Bulgaria where I haven’t played before. We chose the music of Antonio Vivaldi for the concert, which was a very good choice. The municipality of Blagoevgrad supported the oganisation of the concert. I played together with young violin player Viliana Bobeva. I think that people like me should help young and talented musicians. There are many talented people in Bulgaria and I know that because of the master classes I hold in Sofia and Burgas. It is very difficult to be a successful musician without some support.” 

It was recently announced that the winner of the Musician of the Year 2010 Award, Vesko Panteleev – Eschkenazy has been preparing a new project together with pop singer and composer Dani Milev.

“We are to make a casting among all street musicians in Sofia. Everyone has seen how many talented people perform in the street. The winner in our casting will perform in a song, arranged by Dani Milev. I will take part in the song too. The project is part of the campaign for Sofia’s application for European Capital of Culture.”

English: Alexander Markov