Updated: July 19, 2022
Described as a “pianist with superhuman coordination,” Dr. Milen Kirov is an award-winning Bulgarian- American performer, composer, and educator with an inimitable artistic voice and celebrated creative output. His career redefines the role of the performer-composer in 21st century by transcending genres, labels, and artistic boundaries. Combining his Bulgarian music heritage and concert pianist background with contemporary composition, jazz, world music, and improvisation, Dr. Kirov has carved a thriving career as a unique and respected artist.
Milen Kirov has won awards from the Bulgarian National Radio Composition Competition; Bulgarian National Music Competition “Sv. Obretenov”; MTNA Performance Competition; Reno Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition; Liberace Scholarship Competition; J. Huntzinger Concerto Competition, and has received numerous grants and commissions from organizations such as the American Music Center and Montecito Music Festival among others. In June of 2015 Dr. Kirov was awarded a Certificate of Congressional Recognition by the United States Congress for his work as a director of an international music ensemble, and for “showcasing Bulgarian culture and continuing Los Angeles’ tradition of multiculturalism.” Milen has performed throughout Europe and North America and has written and recorded music for several films including “Human Error” – a Robert M. Young film, official selection of the 2004 Sundance Film Festival; “A Cigar At the Beach” – an award-winning film by Triskalion Entertainment, and “Woody Allen: A Documentary” directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Robert Weide, part of the celebrated PBS’ American Masters series.
As an artist and producer, Dr. Kirov has released 6 albums and several singles, and has appeared as a guest artist on numerous other records on labels such as Sony BMG, MRi, and A.i. Music. His latest album “SPATIUM,” released by London-based ICSM Records in May, 2022 was hailed by critics as "smoking, smoking, smoking throughout, this is the start of something big" (Chris Potter, Midwest Record) and "arresting effort of Milen Kirov's... and his unerring grasp of dynamics as he propels the music to flow in such inexorable motion" (Doug Collette, AllAboutJazz.com.) Milen’s compositions and performances have been featured on dozens of radio and TV stations on four continents. Some of the diverse artists he has performed and/or recorded with include Perry Farrell, Ellis Hall, Miroslav Tadic, Dragomir Yosifov, Steve Ferrone, Mike Keneally, John Bergamo, Theodosii Spassov, Money Mark, and James Gadson, among others. Dr. Kirov is also known as a keyboardist who utilizes a wide range of acoustic, analog, and digital keyboard instruments such as harpsichord, pipe organ, accordion, Hammond organ, Fender Rhodes piano, and synthesizers.
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Pianist Milen Kirov Infuses American Jazz With European Classical, Bulgarian Folk Traditions On 'Spatium,' Set For June 3 Release
![Pianist Milen Kirov Infuses American Jazz With European Classical, Bulgarian Folk Traditions On 'Spatium,' Set For June 3 Release](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/coverart/large/733224807f816460d9c46f41fad38c90.jpg)
Source:
Terri Hinte Publicity
Pianist Milen Kirov finds the perfect formula with the June 3 release of Spatium on Independent Creative Sound and Music (ICSM) Records. A solo piano performance of 13 originals, the album is precisely the melting pot of styles that has long been the focus of the multi-dimensional Kirov’s creative journey. “My goal is to find the meeting point of three traditions: Western classical music, American jazz and blues, and Bulgarian traditional music,” the native Bulgarian pianist says. “There is no ...
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"The most engrossing solo piano music, whether it's Bill Evans,' Brad Mehldau's, Fred Hersch's or Keith Jarrett's, usually radiates a certain distinct quietude and that's certainly the case with this arresting effort of Milen Kirov's. But the prevailing tranquility here is less a constant atmosphere than a series of waves therein, its intensity waxing and waning over the course of the baker's dozen tracks and seventy-plus minutes playing time—it's almost as if the pianist/composer stops periodically to marshal the resources of his imagination and physical stamina, not just to go on, but to continuing performing at the highest possible level. Suggesting that sequence of events is not to disparage the Bulgarian's gifts for writing or playing, but rather to emphasize his unerring grasp of dynamics as he propels the music to flow in such inexorable motion." (Doug Collette, AllAboutJazz.com)
Primary Instrument
Piano
Location
Los Angeles
Willing to teach
Intermediate to advanced
Credentials/Background
Associate Professor of Composition, Theory, and Piano at Los Angeles City College