About Prof. Denitsa Laffchieva
The British-Bulgarian clarinettist Denitsa Laffchieva made her solo debut at the age of 14 with Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. Numerous prizes at international competitions, prestigious awards and world premieres built her strong international reputation as a clarinet prodigy. Denitsa studied in some of the finest European music institutions – Vienna University of Music and Performing Arts with Prof. Peter Schmidl- solo clarinettist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Academy of Music in London and at the National Academy of Music in Sofia with prof. Petko Radev-former solo clarinettist of Teatro della Scala di Milan.
Aged 19, she was awarded ‘Musician of the Year’ by the Bulgarian National Radio. At the age of 23, Denitsa was the youngest musician ever to receive the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture’s award for ‘Great Contribution to the Bulgarian Culture’. In the same year, she also won the prestigious ‘Herbert von Karajan Foundation’ in Vienna, scholarship for Extraordinary Musical Talent.
Denitsa made her Wigmore Hall debut recital in 2007 and her Carnegie Hall debut recital in 2008 followed by returns in 2009, 2010 and 2013.
Dedicated chamber musician she regularly performs with world renowned musicians such as Viktoria Postnikova, Eldar Nebolsin, Ashley Wass, Julien Quentin, Roman Simovic, Jack Liebeck, Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Guy Johnston, Zholt Visontay, Jamie Walton, Lise Berthaut, Patrick Gallois and Alexander Zemtsov.
Denitsa has recorded multiple times the clarinet concerto from W.A. Mozart for BMG, Ricordi and G7.
Denitsa has recorded for many Radio and TV companies in the world like BBC London, Bulgarian National Golden Fond-Sofia, ITV, ORF, RFI, RAI, BNT, BNR and NHK.
Since 2011 she has been Principal Clarinettist of Sinfonia Finlandia. With that orchestra together with Patrick Gallois she also performed as a soloist and recorded on Naxos label the highly awarded and acclaimed Cimarosa Ouverture CD.
From 2010 Denitsa Laffchieva held a Professor position at the University of Central Finland and from 2015 she will teach at the Richard Wagner Konservatorium in Vienna. Many of her students already enjoy international careers.
