Born in Sofia, Irina Georgieva embarked on her musical journey at the tender age of 6. Just two years later, she achieved the milestone of her inaugural solo concert, swiftly followed by her first international prize. Displaying exceptional talent, she made her debut as a soloist with orchestra performing Beethoven’s 1st Piano Concerto op.15 just a year later.
In 1997, she gained admission to the prestigious Sofia Conservatory, marking the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with Prof. Marina Kapazinskaya. Simultaneously, Irina showcased her prowess as a solo pianist with major orchestras in Bulgaria. Her unwavering commitment to artistic growth led her to participate in master classes conducted by renowned pianists such as Lazar Berman and Dmitry Bashkirov.
A pivotal moment in Irina’s journey occurred in 2001 when she received a scholarship from the “Gerber-ten Bosch” foundation, propelling her to the Basel Music Academy and into the master class of Rudolf Buchbinder. The influence of this experience shaped Irina into the artist she is today.
Rudolf Buchbinder, with over 35 years of pedagogical experience, hails Irina as one of his outstanding piano students. Her impeccable sound culture, formidable technique, innate sense of style, strong charisma, and distinctive personality all point toward a promising career as a pianist.
Buchbinder’s foresight proved accurate as Irina Georgieva now graces international stages. Notable performances include concerts at Wigmore Hall in London (2010), Musikverein in Vienna (2015), Tonhalle in Zurich (2015), and the KKL Lucerne (2019). Collaborating with esteemed conductors such as Stefan Lano, Mihal Nesterowicz, Pablo Gonzàlez, and Sascha Goetzel, Irina has established herself as a prominent figure in the classical music scene.
Throughout her career, Irina has been recognized for her excellence, winning accolades at competitions like the Steinway Piano Competition in Berlin (1995), the Concurs Maria Canals in Barcelona (2006), and the Kurt Leimer Piano Competition in Zurich (2008).
Irina Georgieva’s expansive repertoire encompasses 20 piano concertos with orchestra, spanning from the Baroque era to contemporary compositions. While she interprets works by various composers such as Berio, Carter, Ligeti, Baltakas, Gubaidulina, and Gysin, her profound fascination lies with Rachmaninoff, whose complete piano works she has mastered with unparalleled skill.
