Vanguel Tangarov

Buffet Crampon & Vandoren Performing Artist

Dr. Vanguel Tangarov is an associate professor of clarinet at Texas State University and an artistic director and founder of the annual international clarinet event Texas State Clarinet Fiesta. Vanguel Tangarov performs as a principal clarinetist for the Austin Opera, Mid-Texas Symphony, and Victoria Symphony orchestras.
Tangarov previously served as principal clarinet of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra, Bulgaria, Academia Chigiana Symphony Orchestra, Italy, Jeunesses Musicales World Symphony Orchestra, Germany and the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra (OSUANL) in Mexico. He has appeared as a soloist with the Mid-Texas Symphony in USA, the Plovdiv Philharmonic, the Rousse Philharmonic, the Varna Philharmonic and the Sofia Philharmonic orchestras in Bulgaria, the Constanta Philharmonic in Romania, the Monterrey Symphony (OSUANL) and Monterrey Chamber Orchestra in Mexico, presenting music by Mozart, Weber, Copland, Francaix, Cimarosa, Giampieri, Bernstein and Pipkov.
Vanguel Tangarov has performed in more than 20 countries on four continents, winning a positive critical acclaim. Equally popular as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, he has performed in important venues worldwide, such as 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), to name a few.
Tangarov studied clarinet with 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 Vladiguerov,” in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he received a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree in clarinet performance under the direction of renowned pedagogue and concert artist, Petko Radev, a former principal clarinet of Teatro Alla Scala, Milan, Italy.
Tangarov received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Texas at Austin under the direction of Richard MacDowell. He has also received instruction from musicians such as Aurelian Octav Popa, Rumania, and Gerald Pahinger, principal clarinetist of Vienna Symphony. Tangarov’s solo appearances include recitals at the 2018 Neo-Path International Festival; the 10th Aniversary Season Bulgarian Concert Evenings at New York, 2015, a solo recital at the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington DC; many performances at the 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, and 2010 International Clarinet Fests in Ostende, Belgium; Orlando, Florida, Lawrence, Kansas, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Austin, TX , as well as a performance at the opening ceremony of the 2014 International Plovdiv Chamber Music Competition in Bulgaria. Tangarov’s performance of Bela Bartok’s Contrasts with the violinist Elmira Darvarova, a former concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera, New York, and Bojidar Noev, the former head of the piano department of Innsbruck, Austria, was broadcasted for the Bulgarian National Radio.
He can be heard as a principal clarinetist on a Naxos Label recording titled Circus Maximus by John Corigliano with The University of Texas at Austin Wind Ensemble, Harmonia Mundi Label, Samuel Barber: An American Romantic, Conspirare, Craig Hella Jonson and The Company of Voices, Harmonia Mundi Label, 2017 GRAMMY Nominated, Craig Hella Johnson: “Considering Matthew Shepard”, as well as the soundtrack for the movie Knight of Cups, directed by Terrence Malik, in addition to being on more than 10 other recordings.
Tangarov has been recognized and awarded numerous prizes in both national and international clarinet competitions including: Prague Spring International Competition, 1996, 6th place overall, United Nations International Clarinet Competition, Portugal, 1994, 4th place overall, First International Clarinet Competition, Romania, 1993, 2nd prize, “The Music and the Earth” International Chamber Music Competition, Bulgaria, 1993, 3rd prize, Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition for French Music, Bulgaria, 1997, 1st prize, Brahms Academy Competition for Chamber Music, Bulgaria, 1993, 2nd prize; Bulgarian National Radio-Mozart Chamber Music Competition, 1991, clarinet quintet, 1st prize, and Bulgarian National Clarinet Competition, Bulgaria, 1990, 1st prize.

Vanguel Tangarov is a Buffet Group & Vandoren Performing Artist and exclusively performs with Buffet Crampon’s clarinets and Vandoren’s products.