Vanguel Tangarov

Vanguel Tangarov is an Associate Professor of Clarinet at Texas State University and the Artistic Director and founder of the annual international clarinet event, Texas State Clarinet Fiesta. Tangarov also serves as Principal Clarinetist for the Austin Opera, Mid-Texas Symphony, and Victoria Symphony Orchestras, and most recently as Acting Principal Clarinet of the Houston Grand Opera.

Previously, Tangarov held positions as Principal Clarinet of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria (1993-1998), the Academia Chigiana Symphony Orchestra in Italy (1993-1997), the Jeunesses Musicales World Symphony Orchestra in Germany (1993-1994), and the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra (OSUANL) in Mexico (1998-2004). He has appeared as a soloist with various orchestras, including the Györ Symphony in Hungary, the Mid-Texas Symphony in the USA, and the Plovdiv, Rousse, Varna, and Sofia Philharmonic Orchestras in Bulgaria, as well as the Constanta Philharmonic in Romania, and the Monterrey Symphony (OSUANL) and Monterrey Chamber Orchestra in Mexico. His repertoire includes works by Mozart, Weber, Copland, Jean Françaix, Cimarosa, Giampieri, Bernstein, Pipkov, and Artie Shaw.

Tangarov has performed in more than 20 countries across four continents, earning critical acclaim for his performances. As a versatile musician, he is equally popular as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, performing in prestigious venues worldwide such as Berliner Philharmoniker Hall (Berlin), Gewandhaus (Leipzig), Schauspielhaus (Berlin), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Oslo Konserthaus (Norway), Cadogan Hall (London), Symphony Hall Birmingham (UK), Boston Symphony Hall (USA), Bulgaria Hall (Sofia), and Zaragoza Hall (Spain), among others.

He began his clarinet studies with Dimitar Boyanov at the Dobrin Petkov Music High School for Gifted Students in Bulgaria. Tangarov continued his education at the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia, where he earned both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Clarinet Performance under the guidance of renowned pedagogue and concert artist Petko Radev, former principal clarinet of Teatro Alla Scala in Milan, Italy. He later received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin under the mentorship of Richard MacDowell. Additionally, Tangarov has studied with musicians such as Aurelian Octav Popa (Romania) and Gerald Pahinger, Principal Clarinetist of the Vienna Symphony.

Tangarov’s solo performances include recitals at the 2024 Victoria Bach Festival, the 2018 and 2022 Neo-Path International Festival, and the 2022 and 2023 VIMA Grand Strand Music Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC. He has also performed during the 10th Anniversary Season of Bulgarian Concert Evenings in New York (2015), given a solo recital at the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington, DC, and appeared at numerous International ClarinetFests (2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024) in cities such as Dublin, Ireland; Denver; Reno; Knoxville; Ostend; Orlando; Lawrence; and Baton Rouge. In 2014, he performed at the opening ceremony of the International Plovdiv Chamber Music Competition in Bulgaria.

His discography includes recordings as principal clarinetist on a Naxos Label album titled Circus Maximus by John Corigliano with The University of Texas at Austin Wind Ensemble, on the Harmonia Mundi label for Samuel Barber: An American Romantic with Conspirare (conducted by Craig Hella Johnson), which was nominated for a 2017 GRAMMY, and on the soundtrack for the movie Knight of Cups, directed by Terrence Malick. He has contributed to over 10 other recordings.

Tangarov has earned numerous accolades in national and international clarinet competitions, including 6th place at the 1996 Prague Spring International Competition, 4th place at the 1994 United Nations International Clarinet Competition in Portugal, and 2nd prize at the 1993 First International Clarinet Competition in Romania. He also received 3rd prize at the 1993 "The Music and the Earth" International Chamber Music Competition in Bulgaria, 1st prize at the 1997 Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition for French Music, 2nd prize at the 1993 Brahms Academy Competition for Chamber Music in Bulgaria, 1st prize at the 1991 Bulgarian National Radio-Mozart Chamber Music Competition (clarinet quintet), and 1st prize at the 1990 Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition.

Vanguel Tangarov is a Buffet Crampon & Vandoren Performing Artist and Clinician.