site.btaSofia Philharmonic: British Pianist Alexander Ullman Expected in Bulgaria for Third Time

Young British star Alexander Ullman is staging a comeback to Sofia's Bulgaria Hall on January 19, when he will join the Sofia Philharmonic to perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, also known as the Emperor Concerto. The show will be conducted by Jonathan Bloxham. The evening's programme will be complemented by Daphnis and Chloe Suites Nos. 1 and 2 by Ravel.

Praised for his subtle interpretations and refined technical mastery, British pianist Alexander Ullman has impressed audiences and critics worldwide with his deep understanding of the scores he interprets, his elegant touch and crystalline phrasing. He first came to international attention in 2011 after winning the Franz Liszt International Piano Competition in Budapest.

Ullman has successfully toured Europe, Canada, South Korea, the United States and Mexico, among other places. He has participated in major music festivals and has been featured in the Nottingham and Oxford international piano series, on BBC Radio 3, France Musique and MDR Klassik.

The young virtuoso fascinated the Sofia audience in 2021 and 2022, and is now looking forward to his third encounter with Bulgarian music fans.

Piano Concerto No. 5 is considered Beethoven's last piano concerto. It was written in Vienna between 1809 and 1811. The byname, Emperor Concerto, is attributed to Johann Baptist Cramer, the English publisher of the score, and was probably inspired both by the written dedication and the impressive magnitude of the composition, which is over 40 minutes long.