Bulgarian Violinist Stoika Milanova has Died, Aged 79 

An exceptional soloist in her time, Milanova also taught at the National Academy of Music in Sofia

A regular soloist of major international orchestras in her time, Stoika Milanova was particularly recognized for her interpretations of the great romantic composers, especially Brahms and Tchaikovsky. According to a Bulgarian news outlet, she passed away in Madrid following a long illness.

Born in 1945, Milanova began violin studies at the age of three with her father, Trendafil Milanov. She later studied with David Oistrakh at the Moscow Conservatory, where she graduated in 1969. 

Milanova launched her international career in the 1970s when she won London’s Carl Flesch International Violin Competition and medals at the Queen Elizabeth International Competition. For the next 50 years, she would tour the world with up to 60 to 100 concerts a year. 

She also regularly gave concerts with his sister, the pianist Dora Milanova, and performed alongside Oistrakh and Yehudi Menuhin. She was often a soloist on the BBC and worked with conductors including Simon Rattle, Andrew Davies, Charles Grove, Paavo Bergland, Okko Camus, Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt, Vasil Stefanov, Dobrin Petkov, Konstantin Iliev, Vasil Kazandzhiev, Georgi Dimitrov, and Emil Tabakov, among others. 

As an educator, she taught for five years at a state conservatory in Venezuela from 2005 to 2010, and from 1979, served as a professor at the National Academy of Music in Sofia.

She played a 1733 Guarnieri del Gesù violin, provided by the State of Bulgarian. She used the instrument until April 2024, after which she passed it on to be given to the next generation of emerging artists.

“A violinist and musician of international stature, who influenced the Bulgarian violin and performing school in a major way. A huge performing talent that will remain after her,” posted her colleague and concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Vesco Pantaleev-Eshkenazi on Facebook. 

“It is with great sadness that I heard that Stoika Milanova, a light whose brilliance illuminated the classical music scenes in Bulgaria and around the world, died today,” posted violinist Liya Petrova. “With her passing, we bid farewell to one of the greatest violinists of our time … Inheriting her violin is a tremendous responsibility — not only to keep her legacy alive, but to continue fanning the flame of that instrument with her dedication.”

“Her virtuoso technique, combined with unparalleled emotional depth, make her performances unforgettable,” added the Sofia Philharmonic in a tribute. “Her artistry, warmth, and humility will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her or experiencing her performance.”

Our condolences to Ms. Milanova’s family, friends, students, and colleagues.