about

Theodor Milkov is recognized as one of the leading figures in contemporary marimba performance. Known for developing a distinctive “pianistic approach” to the instrument, he has expanded the technical and expressive possibilities of marimba playing. His work as a performer, teacher, and contributor to new repertoire has made a lasting impact on the international percussion community.

Milkov’s repertoire ranges from Baroque and Romantic keyboard works to contemporary compositions written specifically for his unique approach to the marimba. With a particular interest in exploring the connection between historical music and modern percussion, he often presents transcriptions alongside newly commissioned pieces. His close collaborations with composers have resulted in a growing body of original works, contributing to the development of marimba repertoire and performance practice.

Milkov’s musical path began early, gaining international attention as a teenager. At the age of 13, he won the Shostakovich Competition in Hannover. In 2002, at 17, he became the first Greek musician to reach the finals of the Eurovision Competition for Young Musicians in Berlin, performing with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Marek Janowski.

In recent years, Milkov has developed a creative partnership with Canadian composer Christos Hatzis, one of the most important and original voices in contemporary music. Together, they have revisited Orbiting Garden, a work originally written for piano and tape. Long considered unplayable due to its technical challenges, the piece has been newly adapted for marimba, reflecting Milkov’s distinctive approach to the instrument. Their collaboration also led to Vernal Equinox, a concerto inspired by the 2021 Bicentennial of the Greek War of Independence, which began on March 25, 1821 — a date that also marks the Feast of the Annunciation and falls shortly after the spring equinox.

Expanding this artistic dialogue, Hatzis and Milkov created Quantum Superpositions and Quantum Entanglements, a visionary series of palimpsests on Domenico Scarlatti’s keyboard sonatas. Composed for marimba solo, duo, and trio, these works fuse historical repertoire with modern techniques, creating a new sonic language for the instrument.

This creative collaboration took a new direction with the formation of the Spectrum Entheogen marimba trio, bringing together Theodor Milkov with fellow marimbists Anders Kann Elten and Arjan Jongsma. The trio explores new ideas in contemporary marimba performance, reflecting Milkov’s distinctive marimba style. The ensemble is dedicated to developing a new identity for the marimba trio in contemporary music.

The trio combines their individual strengths with a shared musical vision that goes beyond traditional ensemble playing. Their repertoire, including works like Christos Hatzis’s Quantum Superpositions and Quantum Entanglements, brings together elements of historical music and contemporary techniques to create a distinctive sound world. Spectrum Entheogen is not only a platform for virtuosic performance, but also a space for exploring new ideas and expanding the role of percussion in contemporary classical music. Through their bold explorations, the trio continues to push the boundaries of what the marimba can achieve, setting a new standard for the instrument and chamber music as a whole.

…”His newly published book, Four Mallets Method with Editions Svitzer, is a wonderfully conceived pedagogy for all keyboard percussionists. Not only does it present exceptionally well conceived practical technical exercises, it additionally brings an important musical perspective in the etudes. Theo's musicianship comes through in this method and brings a fresh approach to four mallet instruction. I believe this volume will be a significant addition to the percussion education community for many years…”

- Michale Burritt Professor of Percussion Eastman School of Music-

In 2021, Theodor Milkov expanded his contribution to marimba pedagogy with the release of his method book 4 Mallet Technique – My Pianistic Approach, published in collaboration with Edition Svitzer. The book offers a detailed presentation of his technical concepts and provides a structured guide for developing a pianistic approach to marimba playing.

In 2022, his long-standing interest in the music of J.S. Bach led to the publication of his transcriptions of the Complete Cello Suites, titled Discovering the Hidden Polyphony Behind Bach’s Complete Cello Suites. These transcriptions highlight the polyphonic possibilities within Bach’s writing and offer a new perspective on interpreting this repertoire on the marimba.

Theodor Milkov’s distinctive approach to the marimba — combining interpretations of classical repertoire with the development of new, contemporary works — has led to invitations from some of the world’s leading music festivals. He has performed at the Oranjewoud Festival in the Netherlands, the Bach Academy in Bruges, Belgium, Pulse Percussion in Denmark, and TIPC in Taiwan.

In addition to his celebrated performances, Milkov is a sought-after educator, sharing his expertise through masterclasses at leading musical institutions worldwide. His teaching engagements have included the Royal Academy of Music in London, CNSMD Lyon, MUK Vienna, Hochschule für Musik in Münster, the Colburn School of Music in Los Angeles, Northwestern University, the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, the Conservatoire Saint-Maur-des-Fossés in France, the Salerno Conservatory in Italy, and institutions across Taiwan, among many others. Through these masterclasses, Milkov continues to inspire and shape the next generation of musicians, further solidifying his influence as a trailblazer in the world of contemporary percussion.

 

Theodor Milkov began his percussion journey at the age of seven at the Municipal Conservatory of Patras in Greece, studying under his father Maxim Mankovski. From 2002 to 2009, he pursued advanced studies at renowned institutions - Musikhochschule Detmold (Germany), the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (The Netherlands). During this time, he trained under esteemed professors such as Peter Prommel, Hans Zanderoep, Fedor Teunisse, Luuk Nagdegaal, Nick Woud, and Gustavo Gimeno.

Milkov holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Musikhochschule Detmold and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, a Master of Music degree from the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, and a prestigious Konzertexamen from the Musikhochschule Detmold.

In 2017, Milkov launched the International Marimba Summer Academy (MIMSA), an intensive training program centered on his pioneering method, 4 Mallet Technique – My Pianistic Approach. MIMSA quickly gained international acclaim, becoming one of the most dynamic and sought-after annual events in the percussion community. It has attracted participants from across the globe, including the USA, Japan, Taiwan, Zimbabwe, Poland, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, China, Latvia, and Hungary, solidifying its reputation as a hub for marimba excellence.

Since 2017 Theodor Milkov a Yamaha Artist, and Vic Firth/Zildjian Signature Artist