PIANO, OBOE, & CLARINET

Oboist Ian Davidson has appeared as soloist and chamber musician on six continents as part of fifty-one international concert tours. He is Principal Oboe of the Austin Opera Orchestra and English Horn and Associate Principal Oboe of the Austin Symphony Orchestra.  In the summer Ian serves as Principal Oboe at the Victoria Bach Festival and Solo English Horn of the Bear Valley Music Festival.

Other engagements include stints as Principal Oboe of the Dallas Bach Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Dallas and the Austin Sinfonietta as well as Assistant Principal Oboe of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, Principal Oboe of the Dallas Chamber Orchestra,  and Principal Oboe of the Texas Bach Festival. In addition, Ian has appeared as Guest Principal Oboe with the San Antonio Philharmonic, Dallas Opera Orchestra and Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

Among his seventy-seven concerto appearances are performances with the Dallas Bach Orchestra, the Austin Chamber Orchestra, the Austin Sinfonietta, Dallas Chamber Orchestra, the Laredo Philharmonic, Chamber Soloists of Austin, Balcones Chamber Orchestra, Blue Lake Festival Orchestra, Victoria Bach Festival Orchestra, the Orchestra of Saint David’s, and the Bear Valley Festival Orchestra.

International recitals and masterclasses include the Moscow Conservatory of Music, Hong Kong Baptist University, the University of Silesia, Trinity College of Music in London, the Institute of Culture in St. Petersburg, the University of Piui in Brazil, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa, EAFIT University in Medellin, Colombia, the University of Guadalajra, Marcello Conservatory of Music in Venice, New Zealand School of Music, the University of the Americas in Quito, Prague Conservatory of Music, Manuel da Falla Conservatory in Madrid, Tokyo University, Makumira University in Usa River, Tanzania, Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Villa-Lobos Conservatory in Rio de Janiero, National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City, Sydney Conservatory of Music, Ewah Women’s University in Seoul, Music Conservatory in Sienna, Esocola Superior in Lisbon, Royal Academy of Music in London, and the State Conservatory of Music in Bratislava.

Film credits include the movies “Spy Kids II” (with Antonio Banderas, Karla Gugino, Steve Buscemi, Alan Cumming, Tony Shalhoub), “To The Wonder”, (with Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Rachel McAdams, Olga Kurylenko) “Knight of Cups” (with Christian Bale, Natalie Portman, Cate Blanchett, Brian Denehey, Nick Offerman), “The Vessel” (wth Martin Sheen), and “Simple as Water” for HBO Films.  Among his numerous CD recordings are – eleven albums with the Wild Basin Winds as well as albums with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Soloists of Austin, Conspirare, The Pleasant Street Players, and Trio88.  All are available on iTunes, Spotify and Apple Music.

Ian has been recognized for outstanding contributions in teaching, service, and scholarly and creative activity. He has twice been nominated by the Austin Critics Round Table as “Best Instrumental Soloist of the Year”, and at Texas State University he has the received the Presidential Distinction Award, College Achievement Award and the Presidential Award for Outstanding Scholarly / Creative Activities. He has twice been twice named “Favorite Professor” by the Alpha Chi Honor Society, and twice been invited to present the Dean’s Seminar. Conference and Convention performances include the Texas Music Educator’s Association, Texas Band Master’s Association, National Flute Association, International Clarinet Association, International Trumpet Guild, Society of Composer’s International, NACUSA, International Viola Society, National Guitar Association, Regional College Music Society Conventions, The College Music Society National and International Conventions, and seven performances at the International Double Reed Society Convention.

A featured soloist on the GRAMMY nominated album A Company of Voices: Conspirare in Concert, Ian is a member of The Recording Academy and every year votes on the GRAMMY AWARDS.

Also a composer, among his original compositions are “Scenes at the Ranch”, premiered at the 2012 IDRS Convention in Oxford, Ohio; “Tableaux del Norte”, premiered at the 2013 IDRS Convention in Redlands, California; “Boxes”, premiered at the 2017 IDRS Convention in Appleton, Wisconsin; “Eclogue Phoresy”, premiered at the 2010 ITG Convention in Sydney; and “Pastorale”, premiered at the 2018 RioWinds Festival in Rio da Janeiro, Brazil.  Ian’s works are published by Trevco Music of Middlebury, Connecticut.

In addition to Ian’s work as an oboist, he also leads the School of Music Introduction to Fine Arts Program at Texas State.  The program reaches over 2,000 Texas State students each year, covers all of the art forms, and includes a pair of study abroad courses.  Ian serves as part of the study abroad teaching team and delivers on site lectures.  Annual lectures include “Treasures of the Ancient World”, delivered at the British Museum, “Art and Architecture of the Renaissance”, delivered at the Vatican Museum, “Romanticism and the Romantic Hero”, delivered at the Louvre, and “The Path of Western History as Seen in Art”, delivered at the Museum of Fine Arts in Vienna.

Dr. Davidson holds degrees from DePauw University and the University of Texas.  His principal oboe instructors include Eric Barr (Dallas Symphony Orchestra), Kenneth Holm (DePauw University), Richard Blair (The University of Texas at Austin), Richard Killmer (Eastman School of Music). Ian studied composition with Donald White (DePauw University) and Karl Korte (The University of Texas at Austin).

From 2012-2017 Ian served as a Fulbright Senior Specialist with the United States Department of State.  And from 2018-2022 he served as member of the Centers Advisory Board at DePauw University.  In 2013 Ian was named “Most Distinguished Alumnus” by DePauw University and in 2014 was awarded the DePauw Citation for “Outstanding Achievements in Creative Arts.”

Ian teaches at Texas State University, where he holds the dual ranks of Regents’ Professor and University Distinguished Professor.  An affiliated artist, he performs and records, exclusively, on oboes and English horns manufactured by F. Loree of Paris.

Dr. Vanguel Tangarov is an Associate Professor of Clarinet at Texas State University and the Artistic Director and Founder of the annual international clarinet event, the Texas State Clarinet Fiesta. Vanguel Tangarov also holds the position of Principal Clarinetist with the Austin Opera, Mid-Texas Symphony, and Victoria Symphony Orchestras.

Prior to his current roles, Tangarov served as the Principal Clarinet of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria (1993-1998), the Academia Chigiana Symphony Orchestra in Italy (1993-1997), the Jeunesses Musicales World Symphony Orchestra in Germany (1993-1994), and the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra (OSUANL) in Mexico (1998-2004). He has distinguished himself as a soloist, performing with orchestras such as the Györ Symphony in Hungary, the Mid-Texas Symphony in the USA, the Plovdiv Philharmonic, the Rousse Philharmonic, the Varna Philharmonic, and the Sofia Philharmonic in Bulgaria, as well as the Constanta Philharmonic in Romania, the Monterrey Symphony (OSUANL), and Monterrey Chamber Orchestra in Mexico. His repertoire includes works by composers such as Mozart, Weber, Copland, Jean Françaix, Cimarosa, Giampieri, Bernstein, Pipkov, and Artie Shaw.

Tangarov’s illustrious career has taken him to over 20 countries across four continents, earning him acclaim from critics and audiences alike. He is equally renowned as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician and has graced prestigious venues worldwide, including the Berliner Filharmoniker Hall (Berlin), Gewandhaus (Leipzig), Schauspielhaus (Berlin), Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Oslo Konserthaus (Norway), Cadogan Hall (London), Symphony Hall Birmingham (UK), Boston Symphony Hall (USA), Bulgaria Hall (Sofia), and Zaragoza Hall (Spain), among others.

Tangarov’s journey in music began with studies under the guidance of Dimitar Boyanov at the Dobrin Petkov Music High School for gifted students in his native country. He continued his education at the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in clarinet performance, studying under the tutelage of the renowned pedagogue and concert artist, Petko Radev, a former Principal Clarinetist of Teatro Alla Scala in Milan, Italy. Tangarov further honed his skills by completing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at The University of Texas at Austin, under the mentorship of Richard MacDowell. He also received instruction from esteemed musicians like Aurelian Octav Popa in Romania and Gerald Pahinger, the Principal Clarinetist of the Vienna Symphony.

Tangarov’s solo appearances have left a lasting impression on audiences, including recitals at the 2018/2022 Neo-Path International Festival, the 2022/2023 VIMA Grand Strand Music Festival in Myrtle Beach, SC, and the 10th Anniversary Season Bulgarian Concert Evenings in New York in 2015. He has also participated in numerous International Clarinet Fests in 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2010, held in Denver, CO, Reno, NV, Knoxville, TN, Ostende, Belgium, Orlando, FL, Lawrence, KS, Baton Rouge, LA, and Austin, TX. In addition, he performed at the opening ceremony of the 2014 International Plovdiv Chamber Music Competition in Bulgaria. His artistry can be heard on recordings as the Principal Clarinetist in a Naxos Label recording titled “Circus Maximus” by John Corigliano with The University of Texas at Austin Wind Ensemble, as well as on Harmonia Mundi Label recordings such as “Samuel Barber: An American Romantic” and the 2017 GRAMMY-nominated “Craig Hella Johnson: Considering Matthew Shepard.” He has also contributed to the soundtrack of the movie “Knight of Cups,” directed by Terrence Malik, in addition to more than 10 other recordings.

Throughout his career, Tangarov has received numerous accolades and prizes in both national and international clarinet competitions, including the Prague Spring International Competition in 1996 (6th place overall), the United Nations International Clarinet Competition in Portugal in 1994 (4th place overall), the First International Clarinet Competition in Romania in 1993 (2nd prize), “The Music and the Earth” International Chamber Music Competition in Bulgaria in 1993 (3rd prize), the Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition for French Music in 1997 (1st prize), the Brahms Academy Competition for Chamber Music in Bulgaria in 1993 (2nd prize), the Bulgarian National Radio-Mozart Chamber Music Competition in 1991 (1st prize with a clarinet quintet), and the Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition in 1990 (1st prize).

Vanguel Tangarov proudly represents Buffet Crampon & Vandoren as a Performing Artist and Clinician, exclusively performing with Buffet Crampon, Paris clarinets and Vandoren Paris products.

A native of Sofia, Bulgaria, Ekaterina Tangarova started playing the piano at the age of five with her mother who was her first teacher. She later graduated from the Music High School for gifted students “Liubomir Pipkov”, where she studied with Mrs. Mariana Shikova. Mrs. Tangarova earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the National Academy of Music “Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia, Bulgaria, under the direction of Prof. Anton Dikov, one of the most extraordinary pianists in the European pianist tradition. Mrs.Tangarova has worked at the National School for Dance Art in Sofia, Bulgaria, the Superior School of Music and Dance in Monterrey, the Liceo de Monterrey, and The University of Monterrey, Mexico. During the period 2006 -2011 Ekaterina Tangarova was a frequent guest artist and regular collaborator with faculty and students at the Buttler School of Music -University of Texas at Austin.

During her 25 years of her professional career, Mrs.Tangarova established a national and international reputation of a highly acclaimed pianist. Her recent appearances include chamber music recitals at the International Clarinet Association Clarinet Fest 2019 & 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee and Ostende, Belgium, the first edition of The Unbeaten Path International Chamber Music Festival in Kovachevitca, and Balabanov’s House Music Days International Festival in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. An active collaborative artist, Mrs. Tangarova has performed with wide range of international musicians including Petko Radev, Stanley Drucker, Vanguel Tangarov, Philippe Cuper, Richard MacDowell, David Gould, Andre Moisan, Boris Allskhverdyan, Stoyka Milanova, Adah Toland Jones, Sarah Watts, Andrew Marriner, Paolo Beltramini to name a few. Ekaterina Tangarova has performed at important venues worldwide such as New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory, Bulgarian Embassy in Washington DC, Bulgarian Consulate in New York, Bienen School of Music, University of Florida, Gainesville, Teatro de la Ciudad de Monterrey, Mexico and Bulgaria Concert Hall.

Mrs. Tangarova was the First and Grand Prize Winner of the National Piano Duet Competition in Bulgaria in 1991. She holds a Diploma and Fourth prize award of the “Liszt-Bartok” Piano Competition, which was founded by the Hungarian International Cultural Institute in Sofia, Bulgaria,1991. In 1996, Ekaterina was awarded a 2ndPrize (no first awarded) at the Pancho Vladigerov International Competition for Pianists and Violinists in Shoumen, Bulgaria. She also appeared as a soloist in 1995-1996 with the Philharmonic Orchestras of Rousse and Varna in Bulgaria. In 1997, she won the Concerto Competition and performed with the Symphony Orchestra of the National Academy of Music “Pancho Vladiguerov” Sofia, Bulgaria.

Ekaterina Tangarova currently resides in Austin, TX with her family. She enjoys an active teaching career and is a founder of a vibrant and diverse private Piano Studio. Since 2005, Mrs. Tangarova has been the pianist at St. Thomas More Catholic Churchin Austin. She is also a frequent guest artist and collaborative pianist,and performs on a regular basis with a wide range of faculty and students from the Texas State University School of Music. Since 2016,Mrs. Tangarova has held an appointment as a resident pianist for the International Clarinet Association