Composing Across Cultures in the Digital Age: An Interview with Platinum Prize Winner Dimitar Kovachev
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
Florida, USA–based composer Dimitar Kovachev has received the Platinum Prize in the Professional category for his work An Immigrant in New York at the 2025 Golden European Composition, Conducting & Video Competition, held as part of the 4th Quarter European Classical Music Awards (24 July – 24 October 2025). Following this remarkable achievement, we invited Dimitar Kovachev to share more about his award-winning work An Immigrant in New York, his creative journey, and his artistic vision. In the following interview, he reflects on the personal stories behind the composition, his collaborative experiences, and his thoughts on the evolving music industry in today’s digital age, offering readers a deeper insight into his musical world.
Could you please introduce your award-winning music An Immigrant in New York? When and under what circumstances was it created? Could you share the inspiration behind the work and the message you hope to convey through it?
Dimitar Kovachev:
"In 2001 I met Val Ivanov, a person from a small Bulgarian village, who at the age of 14 crossed the border to freedom from a homeland occupied by the Red Army. After a sequence of perilous adventures, he was recruited into the U.S. army, serving in the Korean War. Discharged honorably, he became a citizen of the United States. After a sequence of small-earning jobs, he entered the employ of a Fortune 500 company, eventually becoming a managing partner—a story of the American Dream perhaps."
What was your creative process like? How did you approach the structure and dynamics of the piece?
Dimitar Kovachev:
"The suite An Immigrant in New York is an instrumental part of the musical Under Manhattan Skyline. It is a Crossover between continents and cultures. The separate movements followed the path of Val Ivanov throughout his journey. The melody line and harmony ambiance reflected on his excitement, fear, expectation and attitude. His intimate sentiment of belonging has been shattered, only reason have lead the way. It has been a long way from a small provincial village fro Red Army occupied Eastern Europe Country to Managing Partner of Fortune 50 Manhattan Company. The controversial dynamics of the suite is a reflection of the protagonist’s lefe."
We listened to your piece in a video recording performed by the Simfonietta VSO, Bulgaria. Could you tell us about your collaboration with the musicians who performed your work, and share any memorable moments from the rehearsals?
Dimitar Kovachev:
"The live performance from 2001 is not available. The 2023 studio performance with a chamber orchestra is available on all streaming media such as Spotify. I was not present during the performance of An Immigrant in New York Simfonietta VSO, Bulgaria. The work was performed by my scores with the initial orchestration help of Roumi Petrova."
Could you talk to us about yourself, your journey in music, and your future goals? Could you also share your perspective on what defines a great composer in today’s digital age, and what you consider to be the most significant artistic or professional challenges facing musician today and in the coming years?
Dimitar Kovachev:
"I started to play violin when I was 5-6 years old, then in a Beatles exuberance switched to guitar and piano, which led me to express myself in variety of styles ranging from classical to jazz, pop and between. In my original country vinyl was the musical carrier, then in the US where I moved in 1990 CD and currently Streaming. All those changes of distribution reflected on fluctuating challenges facing the composers. We needed to adapt to continue creating music."
Would you like to share your experience participating in our competition and anyone you'd like to thank?
Dimitar Kovachev:
"The awarded video uplifting performance could not have been done without Music Director Christo Pavlov, Conductor Vladimir Boshnakov and Sinfonietta VSO, Bulgaria to whom I express my gratitude.
Many thanks to the encouragement and help of my family, wife Gina and artwork from my son James Light."
Biography
Born in Sofia, Bulgaria. As a young composer won National Contest in 1982. Since then have written over 250 songs for many top singers and instrumentalists, some became hit songs of the 80s. Contestants from different countries performed his songs as part of the ongoing International Festivals. His recorded music is part of the Golden Music Library of the National Radio in Sofia, Bulgaria.
— Dimitri K. music could be listened on five continents on more than 500 radio stations. — Produced for Prestige Records, London Medieval Voices. — Became member of ASCAP. Since then, through DSM Producers, New York, released background and theme music for Saturday Night Live, Maury Povich Show, etc. national prime time shows. — Produced and released Medieval Voices Tonight. — Put on stage in New York a musical "Under Manhattan Skyline"; received press reviews from Newsday, New York Times etc. — Published by Dimitri K. Publishing: Music by Van Galen's "Life Time" CD. — Dimitri K. Publishing's roster increases with new artists for production, publishing, soundtrack and development. Worked with talented musicians such as: Harry Hall, John Valeri, Alvin L. Guiles, Rob Mullins, Jochy Rodriguez, Devrick Bell, Konstantin Dimitrov, etc. — Produced smooth jazz CD album "Keep Moving" — CD album "So Intensified" — CD album "Silence" — CD album "Slim Profile" — CD album "Blue Cat". Up for 61st Grammy Consideration. — CD album "7/8". Up for 62nd Grammy Consideration. — CD album "Gardens of Delight". Up for 63rd Grammy Consideration. — CD album "I am Not Yours". Up for 64th Grammy Consideration. —CD album An Immigrant in New York. — CD album Classical Impressions.
LIT Talent Awards - I Am Not Yours - Gold Winner
OWMA Best Jazz Album - Gardens of Delight - Winner
World Classical Music Awards - Platinum Prize - 2024
WEA Best Classical Album - Nominated - 2024
Platinum Prize - European Classical Music Awards - 2025
