Alexander JossifovAlexander JossifovAlexander Jossifov received his musical training at the State Academy of Music in Sofia studying composition with Pancho Vladigerov, piano with Jeni Kovacheva and conducting with Konstantin Iliev. He became an associate professor at the Academy and at the New Bulgarian University in Sofia. He was a winner of international awards for composition in Italy (2), Japan (4), Greece (2), Poland (2), Russia, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, the Czech Republic and others. His compositions number in excess of 1500 in all music genres. Included are the operas, Back to the Beginning, Khan Krum Yuvigi, The Golden Spear, Arco Iris and Amphitrion.
He has written six symphonies, four concerti for piano, two concerti for orchestra, two concertos for violin and many other works for instrumental ensembles. His choral works include: five cantatas, three oratorios and an oratorio, To the XXI Century, for two pianos, speaker, soloists, mixed choir, string orchestra and percussion. In addition to his opera Khan Krum Yuvigi, Jossifov is well known for his efforts in musical education through the many operas he composed for children on popular stories such as Robinson Crusoe, The Adventures of Pinocchio, The Miraculous Adventures of Toshko of Africa and the Opera for Children and Animals. Also created for children were a number of ballets. In addition to composing he held the position of General Director of the Balkanton Record Company (1969-1986), Vice President of the Committee for Television and Radio (1986-1989), Deputy Minister of Public Education (1989-1990) and Deputy Director of the Sofia National Opera (1992-1994).