has received the Career Assistance Award from the
Solti Foundation U.S. (Provided photo)
Stilian Kirov, maestro for the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, has been awarded a 2018 Career Assistance Award from the Solti Foundation U.S.
It is the third time Kirov has received the support of the foundation. The foundation’s Career Assistance Award is designed to support and encourage young American conductors at the beginning of their careers. The foundation honors the memory of Sir Georg Solti who was music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 22 years.
“I have always felt extremely lucky to be one of these conductors, as the foundation’s support is an opportunity for all of us to have the best possible artistic environment to grow, explore and be better every time we step on the podium,” Kirov said.
“I could not be more grateful to the Solti Foundation U.S. for its great, continuous support. It is extremely gratifying to know that there is an organization that is so devoted and helpful to young conductors as they embark on their professional journey,” he added.
Kirov, a native of Bulgaria, is a graduate of The Juilliard School and has a master’s degree in conducting from the Ecole Normale de Musique in Paris. He received the 2016 Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award and is a 2015 Malko Competition prize winner.
In addition to serving as music director for the IPO, Kirov is also the music director for the Bakersfield Symphony in California and New Jersey’s Symphony in C based in southern New Jersey.
His upcoming conducting engagements include Brazil’s Minas Gerias Philharmonic, Bulgaria’s Sofia Philharmonic and the Omaha and Chautaugua Symphonies.
The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2018-19 season will open Oct. 20. The program includes Bernstein’s “Candide” Overture, Korngold’s Violin Concerto with guest violinist Simone Porter, Gershwin’s “American in Paris” and the world premiere of a piece written for the IPO by Ben Ash, the company’s composer in residence.
Information on the upcoming season is at ipomusic.org or at 708-481-7774.