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 Bio

   Born in Bulgaria in 1968, Dimitar Pentchev starts piano lessons at the age of six. His first solo recital he gives at 10. Since then – he has given more than 30 recitals in Bulgaria, Greece, Czech Republic, Ukraine and United States.

In 1987 he graduates at second place of overall ranking from Music High School “Dobrin Petkov” in Plovdiv as a pupil of Julia Girginova and is accepted at the State Musical Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria with major in Piano Performance and Accompanying. 

In 1994 he starts a career as a radio journalist – first in Radio “Vitosha” (affiliate of VOA-Europe) and later, in “Classic FM” radio – as reporter, music editor, host of his own emissions, and chief editor of the Cultural Department.

Dimitar Pentchev is a member of Sofia-based Ensemble for Electroacoustic Music, created by Hristo Petkov – a unique formation, which performs “live”, without any pre-programmed sound, some of the most famous masterpieces of world classical music – Ravel’s “Bolero”, Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet”, Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”. The Ensemble has toured all over Bulgaria and in Norway as well.

Dimitar Pentchev starts to write music professionally in 1996. He is nominated for his first original theatrical music for the most prestigious theatre award in Bulgaria - ASKEER. On his second nomination in 1999 he wins the ASKEER award "For best original music for a theatre play" on the Annual Ceremony of the ASKEER Academy in May, 1999. In the same year he receives also the Special Prize of Radio "Tempo" for "Best original music for Bulgarian play".

Between 1996 and 1999 he collaborates with various state theatre companies on plays of Shakespeare, Moliere and some the of most prominent Bulgarian playwrights - Yordan Yovkov, Yordan Raditchkov.

From 1999 to 2002 Dimitar studies at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, USA, majoring in Piano Performance. He also started composition studies with Dr. Robert Frank . He receives his Master of Music degree there in December 2001. Collaboration with theatre companies and directors continues with writing music for Eugene O'Neill's "Ah!Wilderness", "12th Night", "Much Ado About Nothing" and "As You Like It" by Shakespeare, "Boomerangst" - an original full-scale musical on a script and lyrics by Sara Romersberger. On these projects Dimitar works with Melia Bensussen, winner of the Obie Award for 1999 and with Matt Tomlanovich. In September 2002 Dimitar writes a full score for the silent film "Lucky Star" (1929), Dir. Frank Borzage, starring Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell

In 2002 Dimitar moves to Bristol, UK where he continues his studies in music composition.

In 2003 he is invited for a residency at "The Atlantic Center for the Arts" in Florida, USA, where he works with composer Olly Wilson, playwright Eric Bogosian and visual artist Vik Muniz.

In the same year he writes music for "Olive Thomas - The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" - a documentary about Olive Thomas, tragically died silent era film star.

In 2005 he writes original music and performs on stage in British Touring Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" for the open-air Shakespeare Festival in Bristol.

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