Ivanov-Antimova Duo

The Ivanov-Antimova duo was founded by Kalin Ivanov cellist and Elena Antimova pianist in 2001. Their New York debut took place in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in early 2002. They returned to Carnegie Hall both in 2003 and 2004 for chamber music recitals with standing ovations. Recent highlights of the duo’s concert tours include chamber music venues throughout the US and Carribeans. Their performances in St. Thomas and St. John, USVI were lauded with standing ovations and numerous encores.
 
Critical praise has followed the Duo for many years and across several continents. The Duo’s vigorous performing style and warmly nuanced approach to repertoire has been noted and acclaimed in coverage by New York Concert Review, Daily News (VI), Fanfare, Gramophone (UK), among others.
 
Throughout its career the duo has been captivating audiences performing works from the standard cello-piano repertoire as well as introducing newly composed works. As a passionate advocate of contemporary music, the Duo has performed numerous world and US premieres. As part of this legacy, the duo regularly introduces modern Bulgarian compositions to its audiences. Bulgarian composer Roumi Petrova has been an influential collaborator with the Duo for many years and has dedicated numerous works to Mr. Ivanov. Petrova worked closely with the Duo during her years of residence in NYC and for the CD “Enchanted Rhythms”, a compilation of her works for cello and piano. The CD won grant support from The Charles Schwartz Foundation for Music and was produced by and released internationally on the MSR label. 

From its very inception, Duo performances have generated unique accolades. The Duo’s Carnegie Hall debut in 2002 was filmed by CUNY TV as a featured part of the documentary "Study with the Best". The show aired on CUNY TV, Channel 75, and was followed by more than 30 repeat broadcasts. It was nominated for an Emmy Award later that year. News of the documentary and the Emmy nomination reached Bulgaria and the story was covered by Bulgarian’s national media.

Radio broadcasts include Bulgarian National Radio, Radio Free Europe, WWFM Classic Radio (NJ), Classic FM Radio (Bulgaria), FM 98.5 CKWR Radio (Canada), Radio WORT 89.9FM Madison, WI, WSTA Radio “Addie Ottley Morning Show”, WVWI AM 1000 The Afternoon Mix, Sound of Hope Radio, NY. TV appearances include broadcasts for CUNY TV Channel 75, NDT TV, NY, Bulgarian National TV.

Natives of Bulgaria, Ivanov and Antimova were both educated and trained in Bulgaria. Mr. Ivanov received the MM degree from the State Music Academy Sofia, Bulgaria, following initial training for his BM degree at Academy of Music and Dance Art, Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Later, he received the MM degree in Performance from Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College, CUNY. Antimova was educated and trained at the Special Music School for advanced artists in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and later received the BM and MM degrees from Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College, CUNY.