Emile Naoumoff

Sonata

The one-movement, yet multiple time structured, sonata uses a gently modern tonal language and has been influenced by the French tradition. Emile Naoumoff likes to give his movements unusual headings that perfectly describe the character of the respective section. The piece for the combination of viola and piano, which is quite rare in concert life, is a valuable and fascinating addition to the repertoire in which both instruments conduct a dialogue on an equal basis.Naoumoff was born in Sofia in 1962. At the age of 8, he began his career as a pianist and composer; for ten years, he was a pupil of Nadia Boulanger until her death. At the age of 10, Naoumoff composed and performed his own piano concerto under the direction of Yehudi Menuhin. Many prizes, awards and appearances as a celebrated pianist followed. Today Naoumoff lives and works as an associate professor at the School of Music of the Indiana University in Bloomington. He holds master classes in the USA, Europe and Japan and is director of a music academy.