Pavel Ralev – classical guitar

The Programme

Pavel Ralev – classical guitar

Galliard P24, ‘Awake sweet love, thou art returned’
(transcribed M Butten)
Fantasias P5 and P6

Douze Études, W235
1. Allegro non troppo – arpejos
7. Très animé

The Blue Madeleine
Familiar Dreams
Cypresses

Capricho árabe

Koyunbaba, Op 19
i. Moderato
ii. Mosso
iii. Cantabile
iv. Presto

The Artist

Bulgarian guitarist Pavel Ralev is becoming well-known for his refined technique and intuitive approach to interpretation. He has won several prizes from international competitions, most recently the 1st prizes at the 2021 Adelaide Guitar Competition and Zagreb Guitar Competition, 2019 Plovdiv GuitArt Festival and Pleven Guitar Festival, as well as the Prix Savarez for best performance of music by J S Bach at the 2020 Koblenz Guitar Competition. He has performed at Kings Place Hall One, St James’s Piccadilly, Duke’s Hall, Bulgarian National Opera House and has been broadcast on the Bulgarian National Radio and Television.

Upon winning the Plovdiv GuitArt Competition, Pavel became a EuroStrings Artist for 2020, which saw him tour five European guitar festivals. He was selected on the International Guitar Foundation’s Young Artist Platform and performed at the IGF Guitar Summit and the London Guitar Festival, where he premiered a piece by composer Louise Drewett. A keen proponent of new music for the guitar, Pavel regularly programs compositions and arrangements by a number of young guitarists.

After studying at the National School of Music and Dance Arts ‘Dobrin Petkov’ with Milena and Valentin Valtchev, Pavel was awarded a full scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music where he studied with Prof. Michael Lewin, David Russell and Fabio Zanon. He later became a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music and completed his Master of Music degree with distinction at the University of Surrey with Prof. Stephen Goss.

Pavel has participated in masterclasses with many renowned musicians such as David Russell, Fabio Zanon, George Vassilev, Aniello Desiderio, Marcin Dylla, Tilman Hoppstock, Judicael Perroy, Goran Krivokapic, and violinist Alina Ibragimova. In demand as a teacher, Pavel has given masterclasses at guitar festivals throughout Europe, holds teaching posts at two London schools and teaches privately.

‘Pavel is a poet; the world needs more people like him.’ – Aniello Desiderio