Georgi Arnaoudov

Georgi Arnaoudov serves as Professor of Composition and Harmony at the Faculty of Arts, Department of Music, New Bulgarian University (NBU). Born in 1957 into a musical family, he graduated from the National Music School "Lyubomir Pipkov" (1976) and the National Academy of Music "Pancho Vladigerov" (1985), studying composition under Prof. Alexander Tanev. He defended his doctoral dissertation on postmodernism in music at NBU in 2012.

• Professor at NBU since 2000 (regular faculty since 2000, Associate Professor 2009, Professor 2020)
• Vice-Rector for Research and Creative Activities at NBU (2018-2022)
• Previously taught at National Music School "Lyubomir Pipkov" (1984-2000)

Arnaoudov's research focuses on contemporary composition, postmodernism in music, symphonic and chamber music, with significant contributions to electronic music, ancient music studies, and Far Eastern musical traditions. His theoretical work spans music semiotics, aesthetics of modernism/postmodernism, and communication in music. His compositional output includes symphonic poems, concertos, vocal works, and pieces based on medieval Bulgarian texts and Orphic rituals.

His scholarly publications analyze 20th-21st century music styles, with particular attention to Messiaen, Borges-inspired concepts, and cross-cultural musical exchanges. His research demonstrates a consistent trajectory examining postmodern aesthetics, stylistic pluralism, and the integration of historical musical traditions within contemporary frameworks.

• Honorary Professor of NBU (2023)
• Musician of the Year by Bulgarian National Radio (2018)
• Golden Age Award by Bulgarian Ministry of Culture (2017)
• International Karl Maria von Weber Prize (1989)

As Vice-Rector for Research (2018-2022), Arnaoudov significantly contributed to NBU's research infrastructure. He has received multiple international grants supporting his compositions performed globally from Carnegie Hall to Beijing Concert Hall. His academic leadership extends to founding the "Musica Nova-Sofia" International Festival for Contemporary Music (1993) and serving on boards of cultural institutions including the Union of Bulgarian Composers and Society for New Music in Bulgaria.

Arnaoudov maintains active artistic collaborations through the Orpheus Academy Orchestra at NBU, where his works like "Concierto Barroco" receive regular performances. His research integrates practical composition with theoretical exploration of musical meaning across historical and cultural contexts.