Gocho Prakov
Bulgarian clarinetist Gocho Prakov has established himself on the European stage through an international career marked by prestigious collaborations and a strong commitment to contemporary music. Heir to a distinguished musical tradition, he has performed with major orchestras in Bulgaria and Finland, while also developing a recognized career as both a teacher and soloist. Winner of several international awards, he continues today to pursue his artistic journey with passion and excellence.
Gocho Prakov was born in Pazardzhik, Bulgaria, into a family where the art of the clarinet is not only a profession, but a legacy. As a third-generation musician devoted to the sound world of Henri Selmer Paris, he continues a lineage shaped by tradition, craftsmanship, and an uncompromising pursuit of musical excellence.
As Principal Clarinet of the Pazardzhik Symphony Orchestra and the State Opera Plovdiv, his playing is distinguished by a rare synthesis of depth, clarity, and expressive nuance. His artistic voice, refined through years as Principal Clarinet of the Jyväskylä Sinfonia in Finland, has resonated across Europe’s leading stages and recording studios. His collaborations with artists such as Sakari Oramo, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Mikko Franck, Dalia Stasevska, Jonas Kaufmann, Klaus Mäkelä, Ralf Gothóni, Patrick Gallois, Alina Pogostkina, Alexander Zemtsov, Elina Vähälä, and Nemanja Radulović reflect a musician deeply attuned to dialogue, color, and musical imagination.
Alongside his principal positions, he has appeared as a guest with distinguished orchestras including the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra, the Vaasa City Orchestra, and the Kymi Sinfonietta, further expanding his artistic presence across the European musical landscape.
His formation at the National Music Academy “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia, under Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov and later Prof. Petko Radev, laid the foundations of a distinguished artistic path. Further inspiration came through his work with Maestro Alessandro Carbonare at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia and the Accademia Chigiana, as well as through the mentorship of Denitsa Laffchieva, whose influence has left a lasting imprint on his artistic identity.
A musician of refined curiosity and commitment, Gocho Prakov embraces both the great tradition and the living voice of contemporary music, giving premieres of works such as Clarune by Reiko Nomura and Hymnos IV (Waterscape) by Kai Nieminen, and recording Aulis Sallinen’s Chamber Music No. 7. His performances unfold as finely sculpted narratives, where sound becomes texture and silence carries meaning.
In 2023, his artistry was recognized with the Jury’s Special Prize at the Inzai International Music Competition and the Keyaki Prize at the Saitama International Music Competition.
Alongside the stage, he is devoted to the transmission of knowledge, guiding young musicians with the same sensitivity and depth that define his own artistic voice.
