Bringing light
Quarto is the most prominent Bulgarian classical chamber ensamble with concerts in the BBC Hoddinott Hall in Wales Millenium Centre, Malibran Theatre in Venice, National Concert Hall in Dublin, Goetheanum center in Dornach/Basel, L'Olympia hall in Paris, Auditorium Apollon in Nantes, Cairo Opera House, Egypt and many other international classical scenes.
Quarto has created number of joint projects with Camerata RCO – members Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, with the Grammy nominated ensemble "The mistery of the Bulgarian voices", with Grammy winner Jacob Collier and a number of international classical music performers.
Quarto is a multiple winner of Bulgaria's most prestigious classical music awards: Golden Quartet of Bulgaria, Crystal Lyre, Golden Pen, and others.
The ensemble has published a number of discs with concert recordings and is the performer of the 2025 Grammmy - nominated album of the Greek composer
Jánnos Eolou.
Next Concerts in Sofia/Bulgaria
"Destination"
Bulgaria Hall / March 8, 2026
Classical, ethno-jazz, and Bulgarian folk music come together in a contemporary, bold, and unique sound.
One of the most versatile young musicians on the Bulgarian scene, Kalina Andreeva, will perform her original concert "Direction" at Bulgaria Hall, presenting her musical world, in which classical, ethno-jazz, and Bulgarian folk music intertwine in a natural and contemporary way.
A musician, composer, and arranger, Kalina has an impressive presence and an exceptional musical vision. Expect a concert that combines different genres, formations, and artistic languages into a complete musical experience.
From the double bass to the voice, from tradition to boldly sought-after new sounds – we invite you on a memorable musical journey.
Kalina Andreeva is a double bass player and singer, and on the eve of March 8, she will present her original fusion album "Direction" together with the Quarto Ensemble.
The album intertwines several musical styles - jazz, funk, pop, and Bulgarian folklore.
For the first time on the stage of Bulgaria Hall, you will hear a concert with orchestrations for a symphony orchestra, an ethno-jazz band, and a folk trio.
Kalina is young, but already has musical experience and a recognizable style. She is building a career, experimenting boldly, and music is her nature and a completely natural environment. She often changes her costume to a formal dress in her stage roles, and her time is measured in hours of rehearsals, lectures, and performances. She is successful in her studies and in her career, drawing on the experience of proven professionals. She has played both bass guitar and piano, but chooses to express herself through the double bass. She loves folk art and sings in the Nushata choir alongside her mother, folk singer Neli Andreeva, and under the expert guidance of her father, Georgi Andreev, conductor and artistic director of the Philip Kutev ensemble, she is composing her own pieces for more than a decade. Her first officially published piece for brass sextet had its world premiere at the Summer Academy for Wind Ensembles in Koprivshtitsa at the end of August 2020.
In the program:
- Original works by Kalina Andreeva
- Quarto Ensemble
- Grigor Palikarov - conductor
- "Frida" Trio
- "Nusha" Choir
- Quarto - chamber orchestra
Video
About
The Quarto Quartet was formed in 2005 as a piano and string quartet with four principal members and three other permanent musicians.
The musicians of Quarto consider their ensemble to be the successor of the Dimov String Quartet, through their teacher Prof. Dimitar Kozev, the quartet's cellist, who played a huge role in shaping the Quarto Quartet's unique style and expression, which the core ensemble passes on to chamber and symphony orchestras under the name Quarto .
Since 2012, Quarto has been a chamber ensemble of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra composed of Ivan Penchev (violin), Svetlana Stancheva (violin), Tatiana Todorova (viola) and Dimitar Tenchev (cello).
Over the past 18 years, the ensemble has given hundreds of concerts in the country and around the world and has grown from a small chamber ensemble to a group with 20 permanent members, which performs several times a year as a symphony.
Quarto Ensemble is one of the most successful private music projects in Bulgaria, performing over 10 concerts annually on the stage of Bulgaria Hall and on international stages, and has hundreds of smaller performances.
Quarto 's musicians have won a number of music awards, including the 250 Years of Mozart (2006), Austrian Chamber Music (2008), Marin Goleminov Academic Competition (2008), Crystal Lyre (2014), and many others. ), "The Golden Feather" (2015), "The Golden Needle" (2015), "Golden Quartet - Marin Goleminov" (2016), "Musician of the Year" (2018) - in the category - "Musical Project of the Year"), "The Rosette from Pliska" (2018, for overall contribution to culture)
Guests of the Quarto Ensemble share the stage with world-class performers such as Bertin D'Olander (France), the soloists of the Royal Camerata Concertgebouw Orchestra (Mikhail Giller, Isaac Goodwick, Ivo Stankov - Netherlands), Stefan Aprodu (Romania), Lyudmil Angelov (piano), Hristo Kazakov (piano), Prof. Dimo Dimov (piano), Alexander Somov (cello), Vile Hiltula (bandoneon), Matthias Gonzalez (bandoneon), Alexander and Konstantin Vladigerov (trumpet and piano), Maria Radoeva (soprano) and many others.
Quarto is constantly involved in various charitable and cultural initiatives, for which it has received recognition from various public organizations such as the "Union of the Blind in Bulgaria", the National Music Academy "Pancho Vladigerov", the "Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Arts", the "UNESCO - Leonardo da Vinci" club for the preservation of national cultural memory, Quarto Quartet presented Bulgaria to the European Parliament in Brussels in the landmark hall "Yehudi Menuhin" (2011) and many others.
The Quarto Ensemble is characterized by magnificent dramaturgy, vivid expression of instrumental performance and unique stage presence, which give the audience the feeling that the ensemble does not perform music, but tells, dances and paints pictures in its own unique world of sounds and emotions.
Quarto Ensemble has one of the richest musical repertoires in the world of classical music.
The Quarto Quartet's ever-growing repertoire includes hundreds of the most sophisticated and significant works from the classical literature - chamber, solo and orchestral works in its expanded ensemble, as well as music in a variety of styles and eras. Some of these include string and piano quartets, quintets by Haydn, Mozart, much of Beethoven's work, and piano and string quartets and quintets by Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Smetana, Dvorak, Tchaikovsky, Borodin, and Shostakovich, Mahler, Stravinsky, Bartók, Julius Zarembski, Frank Bridge, Joaquin Turina, Piazzolla, by the Bulgarian composers Lyubomir Pipkov, Marin Goleminov, Krassimir Kurkchiiski, Georgi Andreev, Vladimir Dzhambazov and many, many others.
Members
Ivan Penchev is a violinist, leader of the Quarto Chamber Orchestra and primarius of the Quarto Quartet.
Ivan was born in 1974 in Sofia, Bulgaria. At the age of 7 he began his musical education at the Emil Gilels School - Kiev, in the class of prof. Svetlana Bezrodnaya. In 1993 he graduated from the National Music School "Lyubomir Pipkov" in Sofia in the class of prof. Boyan Lechev, prof. In 2000 she graduated from the National Music Academy "P. Vladigerov" under prof. Josef Radionov and chamber music under prof. Dimo Dimov. He has attended the master classes of Max Rostal (Vienna), Vladimir Spivakov (Cologne), Svetlana Bezrodnaya (The Hague), Bernhard Hartog (Berlin) and many others.
He is a laureate of the "Competition for Young Violinists and Pianists" (Bulgaria), "Kocijan" (Czech Republic), "Enescu" (Bucharest), "Wieniavsky" (Poland) and many others.
In 1993 Ivan Penchev founded the Forte Quartet and until 2003 was the primarius of the ensemble. As the primarius of Forte he was awarded the Crystal Lyre Prize for chamber music and together with him he participated in prestigious music festivals such as (Salzburg Festival - Mozarteum).
Since 1993. As a soloist he has participated in numerous musical projects and various symphony and chamber orchestras, including the Geneuesse Musicale Youth Orchestra (Schweiz/Canada), the Gustav Mahler Orchester, and the 1995 Konzertmeister, conductor Claudio Abbado, "Menuhin Festival Orchestra" -Gstaad, "Oper Oder-Spree" a Germany, New Symphony Orchestra", 1995, concertmaster, conductor Rosen Milanov, concertmaster of chamber orchestra "Orpheus" (1997-1998. ), Festival Orchestra - Sofia, etc.
Since 1998 Ivan has been a violin soloist and part of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra.
In 2005 Ivan Penchev became one of the founders of the Quartet " Quarto " and since then he has been a major member of the ensemble with which he has been a laureate of numerous competitions, including "250 Years of Mozart", "Austrian Chamber Music", Academic Competition "Marin Goleminov", "Crystal Lyre", "Golden Feather" (Bulgaria), "Golden Quartet", "Musician of the Year" and others.
As a primarius of the Quarto Quartet, he received recognition for his participation in significant social causes, including the "Union of the Blind in Bulgaria", "90th Anniversary of Vasko Abadzhiev" from the National Music Academy "Pancho Vladigerov", from the "Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Arts", from the "UNESCO - Leonardo da Vinci" club, represented Bulgaria in the European Parliament (Menuchin Hall - Brussels), was awarded the "Rosette of Pliska" for his overall contribution to the culture of Bulgaria and many others.
Ivan Penchev is a prominent guest soloist of orchestras in Bulgaria and abroad (Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, Russia). He is an intensive recording and teaching artist, constantly involved in charitable causes related to art.
From 2004 up to now he is the primarius of the Quarto Quartet and the artistic director of the Quarto Chamber Orchestra.
Tatyana Todorova, viola
Tatiana Todorova is a performer / violist in the Quarto Chamber Orchestra and the Quarto Quartet.
Tatiana was born in 1983 in Quarto Quartet. She was born in 1983 in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. In 2002 she graduated from the Kristina Morfova Music School in Stara Zagora. In 2006 she graduated from the National Music Academy "Pancho Vladigerov" in the class of prof. In 2005 - during his studies and after founding the quartet " Quarto ", he graduated in chamber music under prof. Dimitar Kozev at the National Music Academy "Pancho Vladigerov" in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Tatyana has attended the master classes of prof. Wolfgang Kloss (Vienna) and Avri Levitan (Israel/Germany).
In 2005, she was one of the founders of the Quartet and a core member of the ensemble, with which she has been a prize-winner of numerous competitions, including 250 Years of Mozart, Austrian Chamber Music, Marin Goleminov Academic Competition, Crystal Lyre, Golden Quill (Bulgaria), Golden Quartet, Musician of the Year and others.
As a violist in the Quarto Quartet, he has received recognition for his participation in significant social causes, including the "Union of the Blind in Bulgaria", "90th Anniversary of Vasko Abadzhiev's Birth" from the National Music Academy "Pancho Vladigerov", from the "Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and Arts", from the "UNESCO - Leonardo da Vinci" club, represented Bulgaria in the European Parliament (Menuchin Hall - Brussels), was awarded the "Rosetta of Pliska" sign for overall contribution to the culture of Bulgariaand many more.
Tatiana Todorova is a violist and an outstanding chamber musician. She performs numerous recording and organizational activities, and is constantly involved in charitable activities related to art.
As a solo artist she has participated in numerous musical projects, becoming part of various symphony and chamber orchestras over the years, including the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Symphony Orchestra Sofia, Classic FM Orchestra - Sofia, Oper Oder - Spree - Germany, Sofia Symphony Orchestra - Sofia, Festival Orchestra - Sofia, Opera Festival Orchestra "Societa Filarmonia di Udine" - Italy, etc.
Since 2010 she has been a permanent member and part of the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Since 2005 Tatiana has been a violist of the Quarto Chamber Orchestra and a violist of the Quarto Quartet.
Svetlana Stancheva, violin
Svetlana Stancheva is a violinist in the Quarto Chamber Orchestra and the Quarto Quartet.
Svetlana was born in 1984 in the town of Starvanto. She was born in 1984 in Sofia. In 2003 she graduated from the Lyubomir Pipkov National School of Music with teachers Katya Dramalieva, prof. Stoyka Milanova and Assoc. In 2008 she graduated from the National Music Academy "Pancho Vladigerov" - Sofia in the class of prof. Ginka Gichkova. In 2006 she graduated chamber music in the class of prof. Dimitar Kozev at the National Music Academy "Pancho Vladigerov".
She attended the master classes of prof. Andras Kisch (Semering, Austria), prof. Zhigmundi (Salzburg, Austria) and prof. Tomášek (Prague, Czech Republic).
She is a concert violinist and an accomplished chamber musician, performs numerous recording and teaching activities, and is constantly involved in arts-related charity work.
Since 2004, as a solo artist, she has participated in numerous musical projects, becoming part of various symphony and chamber orchestras over the years, including the New Symphony Orchestra - Sofia, the Classic FM Orchestra - Sofia, the Festival Orchestra - Sofia, the Stefan Makedonski State Music Theatre - Sofia, and the National Symphony Orchestra - Sofia. Sofia and others.
Since 2012 he has been a permanent member of the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra.
In 2006 Svetlana became a member of the Quarto Quartet, with which she is a prize-winner of numerous competitions, including "250 Years of Mozart", "Austrian Chamber Music", Academic Competition "Marin Goleminov", "Crystal Lyre", "Golden Quill" (Bulgaria), "Golden Quartet", "Musician of the Year" and others.
Dimitar Tenchev, cello
Dimitar Tenchev is a performing artist, cellist in the Quarto Chamber Orchestra and the Quarto Quartet.
He was born in 1971 in the town of Tartu. He is born in 1971 in Haskovo, Bulgaria. In 1989 he graduated from the Music School "Hristina Morfova" in Hvar. In 1995 he graduated from the National Music Academy "Pancho Vladigerov" in the class of prof. Zdravko Yordanov, and in 1995-1997 - specialized at the National Music Academy "Pancho Vladigerov" under prof. Zdravko Yordanov.
From 1993 to 2003. Dimitar is a core member of the Forte Quartet with which he has won the Crystal Lyre Award for chamber music and together with him has participated in prestigious music festivals such as (Salzburg Festival - Mozarteum).
Dimitar Tenchev is an outstanding chamber musician and soloist with tours and performances both in Bulgaria and abroad (Spain, Germany, Wales, etc.). Guest soloist of AGBU Chamber Orchestra Sofia, Pleven Philharmonic Orchestra Studio Primo, etc.
Performs numerous recording, teaching activities and participates in charity actions related to art.
Since 1995. As a soloist he has participated in numerous musical projects and symphony and chamber orchestras, including solo cellist in the Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble, Collegium Musikum Chamber Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Ars Music String Quartet, leader / solo cello in the "Sofia Symphony Orchestra" at the Music Academy "Cigiana" (Siena, Italy), the Academic Symphony Orchestra at the State Music Academy "Pancho Vladigerov" - Sofia, "New Symphony Orchestra" - Sofia, State Music Theatre "Stefan Makedonski" - Sofia, the State Music Theatre "Stefan Makedonski" - Sofia. Sofia.
Participated in the creation of the unique ensemble of 12 cellos in Bulgaria - founded and directed by Prof. Zdravko Yordanov.
Since 2006 he is a permanent member and part of the chamber ensemble "Sofia Soloists" - Sofia. Since 2012 he has been a permanent member and part of the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra.
In 2012 she was a member of the Bulgarian National Orchestra. In 2012 Dimitar Tenchev joined the Quartet and became a core member - cellist of the ensemble.
Quartians
Non-titular members of Quarto
The Quarto Project was founded in 2005 as a piano quartet. By 2010, Quarto Quartet had become a piano quintet with several additional members, with concerts with up to eight members, and began regular concerts on the stage at Bulgaria Hall.
Today, Quarto Ensemble is a 20-member orchestra, with the four members of Quarto Quartet at its core: Ivan Penchev - primarius, violin, Tatiana Todorova, viola, Dimitar Tenchev, cello, and Svetlana Stancheva, violin.
The leader of the Quarto Ensemble is Ivan Penchev and the main organizer is Tatiana Todorova.
Ivan Penchev is the leading violin soloist of the Sofia Philharmonic and the prima violinist of the Quarto Quartet. A consummate professional, he is known for his distinctive, uniquely light and bright violin interpretation and captivating personal style of musicianship with the air of a medium on stage. Ivan is a leading figure in the universe of Bulgarian classical music, a musician with a bright personality and a lofty pedestal of values in music and life. It is with Ivan Penchev and his supreme soloistic talent, sparkling artistry and unique personal charisma that Quarto Quartet has become Bulgaria's leading classical ensemble, which can afford to invite international names in classical music for its concerts, who visit Bulgaria with pleasure not for the fees and fame, but for the unique quality and style of Quarto 's music, and the unique creative experience.
Ivan is the author and driving force behind the Quarto Ensemble's concert program, which is one of the most challenging and diverse chamber concert programs in the world. He is a sought-after soloist on international stages, as one of the rare living masters of interpretation who have virtually all the classics of the violin in their baggage and have the ease and drive to lead and bring light to any orchestra, from the grand symphonic ensembles to the most exclusive formations of soloists.
Main members of Quarto Ensemble
- Ivan Penchev, violin
- Evgeni Noev, violin
- Ivaylo Danailov, violin
- Filip Filippov, violin
- Dorothea Krasteva, violin
- Svetlana Stancheva, violin
- Rosen Ivanov, violin
- Kiril Minchev, violin
- Elena Ganova, violin
- Tatiana Todorova, viola
- Ilina Ilieva, viola
- Stefania Yankova, viola
- Dimitar Tenchev, cello
- Sofia Radilova, cello
- Deyan Velikov, double bass
- Krasimir Kostadinov, French horn
- Zheko Atanasov, French horn
- Valchan Valchanov, oboe
- Alexandra Ivanova, oboe
- Rumyana Mihaylova, timpani
Sofia Phlharmonic - the kind and brilliant host of Quarto Quartet
Concert Complex Bulgaria
The Concert Complex Bulgaria is the home of Sofia Philharmonic.
It comprises several concert halls, the biggest of which is grand Bulgaria Hall with capacity of 1200 places and impeccable acoustics.
Gallery
A few photos & concert posters of Quarto - from 2004 to 2025
News
Quarto with three concerts in Auditorium Apollon in Nantes
30 January 2026
Right now:
Quarto in Auditorium Apollon in Nantes, France, 30.1.2026.
Three concerts - the Apollon concert hall is fully sold-out!
Quarto left for a series of concerts in France as part of their world tour with The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices
28 January 2026
From January 28 to February 1, 2026, Quarto (in the formation of string quartet) will be in France for another leg of their world tour with the World-famous Bulgarian female folk choir "The Mystery of the Bulgarian Voices" and the conductor Georgi Andreev.
Quarto will give a series of concerts at the Auditorium Apollon, Kiosque Bechstein / Grande Halle, and Salle Orphée in Nantes, France.
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Contact
Contact Quarto - we will be glad to get in touch with You!
Quarto Ensemble
+359 (0) 895 674 428, management@quartoquartet.com