Discovery Series: Emanuil Ivanov

Praised by La Scala for “chiseling individual voices, dynamic excursion and pianism at the limit of the audible,” Bulgarian pianist Emanuil Ivanov has emerged as one of the most distinctive young artists on the international stage. His interpretations reveal both refinement and daring, balancing delicacy with bold expressive force.

Discovery Series: Emanuil Ivanov takes place Sunday, February 15, 2026, at The Wolfsonian–FIU, presented by the Miami International Piano Festival. Ivanov first rose to prominence after winning the 2019 Ferruccio Busoni Piano Competition in Italy, a breakthrough that led to engagements in major halls including Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Herkulessaal in Munich.

Born in Pazardzhik in 1998, Ivanov studied in Bulgaria before earning scholarships to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and London’s Royal Academy of Music, where he was a Bicentenary Scholar. He has received mentorship from eminent pianists such as Dmitri Bashkirov, Sir Stephen Hough and Pascal Nemirovski. His career highlights include a livestreamed solo recital at Teatro alla Scala during the pandemic, a recording of Scarlatti sonatas for the Naxos label, and acclaimed performances of rare repertoire such as Busoni’s monumental piano concerto.

With a performance history spanning Europe, Asia, Africa and beyond, Ivanov brings a program steeped in both tradition and individuality, offering Miami audiences an encounter with one of the most compelling pianists of his generation.