IVAN YANAKOV
BIOGRAPHY
Pianist and conductor, Ivan Yanakov has performed in over 30 countries across Asia, Europe, Australia, and North America, appearing at major venues including Carnegie Hall’s Recital Hall in New York, Cadogan Hall in London, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Sydney Town Hall, Sapporo Concert Hall, Taiwan National Concert Hall, and Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre. A regular guest at international festivals, he is recognised for his expressive interpretations and versatile repertoire.
His recordings are available worldwide on over 120 digital platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer, and YouTube Music. His new recording of Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra is scheduled for release in February 2026.
Born in Sofia, Yanakov studied at New York’s Mannes College of Music, where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, and continued as a full-scholarship fellow at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena. A recipient of the Artists International Debut Series Prize at Carnegie Hall, he later founded the London Chamber Players and made his conducting debut with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.
Yanakov’s media appearances include live broadcasts from the Los Angeles Museum of Art, Hong Kong’s RTHK radio, Pearl TV, and national radio in France, Italy, and Spain. As a dedicated educator, he gives masterclasses at leading institutions such as the Birmingham Conservatoire and serves as a juror at international competitions, most recently presiding as jury president at the Russian Piano Music Competition in Sanremo.
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One of his current projects, The Four Pianists, unites classical and jazz virtuosos in innovative collaborations, with a recent sold-out performance at London’s Cadogan Hall.
Critics consistently praise Yanakov’s artistry:
– Rondo Magazine, Germany: “Yanakov is a thoughtful aesthete and lyricist who pays attention to euphony and magically captivates the listener with his sophisticated sound direction.”
– Classica Magazine, France: “It is this aspect of Rachmaninov, delicate but full of life, that Yanakov highlights.”
With a combination of technical mastery, interpretative insight, and a collaborative spirit, Ivan Yanakov continues to make a distinctive contribution to the international classical music scene.
BAM/2025
