Ivan Yankov and the London Symphony Orchestra in Rachmaninoff’s Third

In early July 2024, it was announced that two of Bulgaria’s leading musicians had started working on a recording project with the London Symphony Orchestra. Pianist Ivan Yankov recorded Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto, conducted by Nayden Todorov.

The new CD will be officially released worldwide on 27 February, and will be available in Bulgaria three weeks earlier. The album will be presented on 8 February at the opening concert of the Sofia Philharmonic’s educational project, Fortissimo Academy, at Bulgaria Hall.

In an interview with Radio Bulgaria, Ivan Yankov — well known for his deep affinity with Rachmaninoff’s music — shared that he has been performing works by the Russian composer since the age of thirteen, having felt a strong attraction to this music from an early age.

The idea to record Rachmaninoff’s Third Concerto came from producer Milo Borissov.

'I was at Rome airport, on my way to Asia, and we got talking because our previous album — also a joint project featuring works by Rachmaninoff, Haydn and César Franck — was just about to be released. He said, “Ivan, why don’t you think bigger? Why not record Rachmaninoff with the London Symphony Orchestra?’ I replied, “Of course,” but I wouldn’t have dared to dream of such a thing! And that’s how the project came about.”

This recording brings together Bulgarian artistry and one of the world’s top orchestras to deliver a landmark interpretation of one of the most challenging and cherished works in the piano repertoire.

Ivan Yankov is enthusiastic about the recording sessions in London.

“For me, this is a unique orchestra! Several times during the recording, I found myself almost stopping just to listen to how beautifully they played. The brass section, for example, is exceptional—Northern European countries have a very strong brass tradition. They are incredibly professional: we began the session without rehearsing. Maestro Todorov simply gave the cue, and we started without even a balance check.”

Not only was the Rachmaninoff recording Yankov’s first encounter with the London Symphony Orchestra, it was also his first collaboration with conductor Nayden Todorov. Yankov is deeply grateful to Todorov for his willingness to take on the project. After several other conductors withdrew at the last minute, friends suggested that Yankov speak with Todorov, who responded immediately. “He was very kind to agree,” said the pianist.

On 8 February, Yankov will present the new CD with the Sofia Philharmonic, conducted by Slavil Dimitrov, as part of the educational programme Fortissimo Academy. The pianist considers educational concerts to be of particular importance:

'Very often, people with an interest in the arts feel intimidated by classical concerts because they think they won’t understand the music. The goal is to show that music doesn’t need to be fully 'understood'. You can explain it in a few words, but usually it’s either beautiful or it isn’t, and it either moves you or it doesn’t. This project aims to make music more accessible and help people to appreciate and connect with it more easily.”

Yankov has frequently participated in educational programmes outside of Bulgaria. Even in his own recitals, when performing lesser-known works, he always takes a few minutes to introduce them.

'It’s good for the audience to know what’s happening, even with familiar pieces: to highlight thematic material or interesting harmonies, or to explain the story behind the music...'

Following his concert with the Sofia Philharmonic, Yankov will deliver a masterclass and recital at a college near Oxford. This will be followed by a mini-tour presenting his new album in Milan, Paris, and London, and after summer, in Canada, Australia, and the Far East. His next appearance in Bulgaria is in October, when he will both play and conduct three piano concertos by J.S. Bach, as part of a complete cycle that began with the Bulgarian Chamber Orchestra in Dobrich in November 2025.

Editor: Elena Karkalanova

Posted in English by E. Radkova