Music and Culture Matter Far Beyond the Stage
For German cellist Bobby Kostadinov, musical expression finds its true purpose not only in grand concert halls, but in bringing joy and connection to listeners across every setting.
Born in Leipzig, cellist Bobby Kostadinov completed his studies with top honors at the University of Music and Theatre “Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy”. A prizewinner in numerous international competitions, he maintains a versatile career spanning solo appearances, chamber music, and orchestral positions, including work with the MDR Symphony Orchestra. In this interview, Kostadinov reflects on the mentors who shaped his artistic path, his dedication to community-focused projects, and the expanding horizons of his performance career.
You began playing the cello at seven and have since won over 40 competitions worldwide. Looking back, which moments or mentors shaped your artistic identity the most?
First and foremost, I owe a great deal to my principal professor, Peter Bruns, who truly believed in me. I am also deeply grateful to my friends and family, who helped me a lot, as well as my other mentors: Sven Schreiber, Anna Niebuhr, Claudio Bohórquez, Maximilian Hornung, and Wen-Sinn Yang. As for the defining moments that shaped me… I could talk about them until tomorrow.
You perform as a soloist, chamber and orchestra musician, and. What do you enjoy most about each of these roles?
As a soloist, I enjoy being in the spotlight and feeling the full attention of the audience. As a chamber musician, I love the team spirit and the close connection within the group. And in an orchestra, it’s the sheer power of the sound—and that strong sense of unity—that I find truly inspiring.
Many jurors praise not only your technique but the emotional depth of your interpretations. How do you approach developing your sound and musical voice?
I first try to form a clear picture of the style and the composer. As I continue working, I follow my personal intuition regarding the sound, the phrasing, and the message of the piece. I always aim for a wide range of expression and am not afraid to explore the extremes of dynamics.
“These social projects have shown me that music and culture matter far beyond the stage. They make you humble and grateful to be able to fulfill such an important task—bringing joy back into other people’s lives.”
Bobby Kostadinov
What has been your most meaningful concert experience so far, and why?
That’s difficult to answer, because I try to make every concert experience the most meaningful one.
Alongside your artistic career, you’ve participated in many social projects. How have these experiences influenced you as a musician and person?
These social projects have had a profound impact on me and shown me that music and culture matter far beyond the stage. They make you humble and grateful to be able to fulfill such an important task—bringing joy back into other people’s lives.
What are your hopes and goals for the next years of your musical journey?
I’m very excited about the coming years—my recent prizewinner concerts in New York, Vienna, and Paris have opened up wonderful new contacts. Next year, I will also be working as principal cellist in a film orchestra in Germany, contributing to the production of films, video games, recordings, and television projects. In addition, I am developing my own solo recital project. So this year has really been the starting point for a very exciting journey ahead.
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