Diliana Momtchilova and Lora Tchekoratova have recorded a very interesting programme. They have chosen famous virtuosic works, some of them composed initially for violin and guitar (piano) – Paganini’s Variations, or for violin and piano – Vladigerov’s Song (actually this is the second part of Bulgarian Suite for orchestra, which was later arranged for violin and piano), or for the six-stringed instrument arpeggione – Schubert’s Sonata. The other two compositions are the original versions for cello and piano. When writing the title to his work, Brahms intentionally puts the piano before the cello, thus stressing on the equal role of the piano instrument.
Diliana Momtchilova and Lora Tchekoratova were born in Sofia. They both received their high-school education at the Lyubomir Pipkov National Music School in Sofia. In Bulgaria they studied with eminent teachers and after that they continued their studies at the Juilliard School in the USA.
Diliana Momtchilova holds Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the Juilliard School. Her principal teachers in New York were Zara Nelsova and Harvey Shapiro. She has participated in master classes led by Janos Starker, Julius Berger, Angelica May, and the Principal cellists of the New York Philharmonic Carter Brey, and Lorne Monroe.
Lora Tchekoratova, as a student of Seymour Lipkin, earned Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees thus becoming the first Bulgarian musician to hold a Doctorate from Juilliard.
Both performers have won many awards at prestigious international competitions. They perform in famous venues in the USA and Europe as soloists and chamber musicians, as well as with symphony orchestras.