Georgi Sztojanov (1985-) Composer, singer, conductor
Originally from Bulgaria, grew up in Hungary, based in Den Haag, The Netherlands.
He obtained his first master degree in composition from Liszt Ferenc Music Academy Budapest (2009). After obtaining his second MA in Composing from the Royal Conservatory of The Hague (2012), the multi-disciplined musician decided to follow a Bachelor program in singing (2012-16), with Sasja Hunnego in the same Conservatory, where he finished his singing studies with special distinction and a 9,5 on his MA final exam in 2018. He conducted an excellent research in ‘Building Bridges Between the Contemporary Composer and the Classically-Trained Singer’.
He also studied conducting as a minor with Jos Vermunt.
SINGING
One of his specialties is performing modern music.
In 2019 he sang two of the main roles in ‘Aus Licht’ by Stockhausen (Michael in ‘Michael’s Jugend’ and ‘Invasion-Explosion’) in the co-production of Dutch National Opera and Holland Festival. As a preview of that opera-cycle, he performed in OperaForward festival the piece ‘Invasion-Explosion mit Abschied’ in Dutch National Opera in March 2018, about which The New York Times wrote: “It was the best Stockhausen live performance”. Other modern operatic experiences include Stravinsky: Mavra title role with Nederlands Blazers Ensemble, title role ‘Roderick Usher’ and ‘Medic’ in Philip Glass: The Fall of House Usher, Opera2day , Torquemada’ in Ravel: L’heure espagnole,
In April, 2017 he sang the Tenor solo in ‘De Materie’ by Louis Andriessen, with Asko| Schönberg ensemble, lead by Reinbert de Leeuw – in prestigious locations such as Muziekgebouw, Amsterdam, and Tivoli-Vredenburg, Utrecht. In 2022 he sung ‘Tristan’ in Frank Martin ‘Le vin herbe’ with Daniel Reuss and Cappella Amsterdam (as a jump in with one day notice!)
He sang many premieres of fellow composers, also in staged productions: the role of ‘As’ in ‘Who’s afraid of Orfeo?’ (Chiel Meijering), ‘Metaphrastes’ in ‘All rise’ (Jan-Peter de Graaff) and the ‘Tenor Cow’ in Koeien’ (Mischa Mengelberg/ Guus Jansen.) Title role in ‘Ravi de robot’ with Silbersee and Sonnevanck Theater. Another operatic role is ‘Marcellus/ Fossoyeur’ in ‘Hamlet’ (Ambrois Thomas) with Opera2day.
He sang tenor solo in oratoric settings, such as Bach: Matthew Passion, B- minor mass, Mozart: Requiem, Dvorak: ‘Svatebni Kosile’, Weil: ‘Das Berliner Requiem’, Bach: ‘Magnificat’ etc. He participated in masterclasses with Nadine Secunde, Marcel Reijans and Frans Fiselier. From September 2017 he is a member of the Groot Omroepkoor, Holland’s Radio Choir, where he gained a permanent contract in 2018. As a singer his experience is diverse: from bel canto to alternative, from early music to modern premieres.
COMPOSING His works as composer exhibit a wide spectrum of genres and styles: from opera to oratorio, vocal to instrumental, songs, choir works, ensembles and solos, music theatre pieces, applied music for theatre and film, and educational works for choirs exploring choir improvisational techniques (The Silesius Etudes).
His opera, ‘Sinking’, was premiered by the Dutch National Opera Academy in 2013 January.
His pieces were performed by Capella Amsterdam, Asko|Schönberg Ensemble, Amadinda, Hungarian Radio Symphonic Orchestra and Children’s Choir, Ensemble Royaal, MAE and many more on festivals such as Dag in de Branding (Den Haag), Greenwhich Early Music Festival, Making New Waves and IKZE. He received the Tenso Young Composers Award in 2014, for which his composition ‘War circles’ was premiered in Mechelen on Tenso Days and Lunalia Festival, by Zbor HRT (Croatian Radio Choir) and top quality local amateur choir.
Recent years, thanks to this award, he is focusing more on vocal and choral music. Refracting Light – for NDR and Klaas Stok was a great success and they recently recorded it on their new album. Another highlight was in Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht: Essence – mini-oratorio for the Netherlands Radio Choir and Benjamin Goodson. He has written many pieces for amateur choirs as well, (‘Re-Turning’ for The Gents, ‘Mass Comments’ for Haags Vocaal Ensemble and ‘Heroes’ for de.fundo male choir). His piece ‘Angelic Books’ were performed on tours of Meesters&Gezellen in 2018 and parts of ‘War circles’ in their 2023 program. ‘Sometimes’ was on a Dutch tour in 9 cities, written for and performed by Nederlands Studenten Kamerkoor. He is also a vocal and instrumental improviser (violin, keyboards, flute, percussion).
CONDUCTING
He gained experience in conducting as the leader of the Chamber Choir of the Centre for young Musicians (British School, The Hague), and being the guest conductor of the National Boys Choir of Holland in 2017. From September 2018-2021 he was the leader of de.fundo., an amateur male choir. He conducted for Hans Abrahamsen on his festival in The Hague, the ‘Universe birds’.
TEACHING, COACHING
After the great success it is the 6th year already that he teaches a course in The Hague Royal Conservatory, that brings together the singing and composing department in Modern Ensemble Singing, guiding composition students how to compose for a vocal ensemble (the Universe Birds) and preparing singers how to study modern music and conduct them singing the pieces of composing students. He is the vocal coach and vocal compositional supervisor of the Young Composers Meeting in Apeldoorn with orkest ‘de ereprijs’, already for 10 years now.
OWN ENSEMBLES AND PROJECTS He was the singer, conductor, artistic leader and co-founder of The Odd7, an innovative ensemble of 6 instrumentalists, where they perform also his compositions and arrangements. He is the founder and leader also of vocal sextet ‘The New Vocal Federation’, specialized in premieres of new vocal music.