Faculty Profile for Dr. Vanguel Tangarov

Biography Section

Biography and Education

Dr. Vanguel Tangarov is an associate professor of clarinet at Texas State University and performs as principal clarinet for the Austin Opera, Mid-Texas Symphony, and Victoria Symphony orchestras.
Tangarov previously served as principal clarinet at the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, Bulgaria; Academia Chigiana Symphony Orchestra, Italy; Jeunesses Musicales World Symphony Orchestra, Germany; and Monterrey Symphony Orchestra (OSUANL) in
Mexico. He has appeared as a soloist with the Mid-Texas Symphony in the USA; Plovdiv Philharmonic, Rouse Philharmonic, Varna Philharmonic, and Sofia Philharmonic orchestras in Bulgaria; Constanta Philharmonic in Romania; and Monterrey Symphony (OSUANL) and Monterrey Chamber Orchestra in Mexico, performing music by Mozart, Weber, Copland, Francaix, Cimarosa, Giampieri, Bernstein, Pipkov, and Artie Shaw.
Vanguel Tangarov has performed in more than 20 countries on four continents, winning positive critical acclaim. Equally popular as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, he has performed in important venues worldwide such as Berliner Filharmoniker Hall (Berlin), Gewandhaus (Leipzig), Schauspielhaus (Berlin), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Oslo Konserthaus (Norway), Cadogan Hall (London), Symphony Hall Birmingham (UK), Bulgaria Hall (Sofia) and Zaragoza Hall (Spain), to name a few.
Tangarov studied clarinet with Dimitar Boyanov at the Dobrin Petkov Music High School for gifted students in his native Bulgaria. He continued his education at the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladiguerov,” where he received a bachelor of music and master of music degrees under the direction of the renowned pedagogue and concert artist, Petko Radev, former principal clarinet of Teatro Alla Scala di Milan, Italy. Tangarov received his doctor of musical arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin under the direction of Richard MacDowell. He has also received instruction from Aurelian Octav Popa, Rumania, and Gerald Pahinger, principal clarinet of the Vienna Symphony.
Tangarov’s most recent solo appearances include recitals at the 2017 International Clarinet Association Clarinet Fest in Orlando, FL; 2017 International Clarinet Festival, Monterrey NL, Mexico; 2017 Victoria Bach Festival;2016 "Balabanov's House Music Days" International Music Festival, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; 2016 International "Cervantino" Festival, Mexico; 2015 season of the Bulgarian Concert Evenings in New York and the Bulgarian Music Society 2015 concert season in Washington DC as well as performances at the New England Conservatory in Boston MA and a solo/chamber music recital at the 2015 “Balabanov’s House Music Days” International Festival in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Vanguel Tangarov can be heard on the recent GRAMMY Nominated Harmonia Mundi Label recording Johnson, C. H.: Considering Matthew Shepard with the Grammy Award Winner Conspirare, Craig Hella Jonson and The Company of Voices; Naxus Recording of John Corigliano: Circus Maximus with The University of Texas at Austin Wind Ensemble; Harmonia Mundi Label recording of Samuel Barber: An American Romantic with the Grammy Award Winner Conspirare, Craig Hella Jonson and The Company of Voices, as well as the soundtrack for the movie Knight of Cups, directed by Terrence Malik, in addition to being on more than 10 other recordings.
Tangarov has been recognized and awarded numerous prizes in both national and international clarinet competitions including Prague Spring International Competition, 1996, 6th place overall; United Nations International Clarinet Competition, Portugal, 1994, 4th place overall; First International Clarinet Competition, Romania, 1993, 2nd prize; “The Music and the Earth” International Chamber Music Competition, Bulgaria, 1993, 3rd prize; Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition for French Music, Bulgaria, 1997, 1st prize; Brahms Academy Competition for Chamber Music, Bulgaria, 1993, 2nd prize; Bulgarian National Radio-Mozart Chamber Music Competition, 1991, clarinet quintet, 1st prize; and Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition, Bulgaria, 1990, 1st prize.

Vanguel Tangarov is a Buffet Crampon & Vandoren Performing Artist and performs exclusively on Buffet Crampon clarinets, Vandoren clarinet mouthpieces, reeds, and ligatures.

Teaching Interests

Modern Clarinet Pedagogy based on Established Classical Traditions

Research Interests

Advanced Clarinet Performance Techniques and Styles, Musical Symbolism and Music Instincts.