Alexander Somov was born in 1976 in Sofia. While still a student at the National Music School under Stefan Rounevski, he performed as a concerto soloist and recitalist across Bulgaria, Germany, Israel, and Spain, where he premiered Angel Escudero’s Cello Concerto on tour with the Bulgarian National Youth Orchestra.

Invited by Professor Stefan Popov, Alexander pursued higher studies at London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 1998, he became the first East-European student to receive the prestigious Gold Medal, previously awarded to Jacqueline du Pré, Tasmin Little, William Primrose, and Bryn Terfel.

Since then, Alexander has performed to critical acclaim, showcasing a wide repertoire of concertos, including works by Vivaldi, Boccherini, Haydn, C.P.E. Bach, Schumann, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Brahms, Elgar, Lalo, Saint-Saëns, Prokofiev, Shostakovich (1 & 2), Britten, Gubaidulina, Turnage, and Braga-Santos. His performances span the UK, France, Germany, Portugal, Slovenia, Romania, and Bulgaria, collaborating with conductors such as Thomas Zehetmair, Alexander Zemtsov, Marc Albrecht, Paul McCreesh, Aziz Shokhakimov, Sir James MacMillan, Lionel Bringuier, Emil Tabakov, Martin Panteleev-Eschkenazy, Gabriel Bebeselea, Thierry Fischer, Álvaro Cassuto, and David Parry.

As a chamber musician, Alexander has performed with pianists including Simon Trpčeski, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Plamena Mangova, Alexandre Kantorow, Lyudmil Angelov, and Bogdana Popova. His violinist collaborators include Thomas Zehetmair, Tasmin Little, Bartłomiej Nizioł, Albena Danailova, Liya Petrova, and Charlotte Julliard. He has also worked with renowned artists such as Gérard Caussé, Alexander Zemtsov, and Emmanuel Pahud, performing at prestigious venues across France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Sweden, Eastern Europe, Israel, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Mexico.

Currently, Alexander holds the position of Violoncelle Super Soliste with the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra. He is also a regular guest principal with leading orchestras, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, LSO, English Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Südwestdeutsche Rundfunk Stuttgart, and BBC Cardiff.

A professor at the Strasbourg Conservatoire from 2006 to 2013, Alexander continues to offer masterclasses in France, Germany, Bulgaria, Sweden, Italy, and Japan. His solo and chamber recordings have been released by Naxos Marco Polo, the BBC, ARTE France, Gega New Bulgaria, Linn Records, the Bulgarian National Radio and Television, Radio Łódź Poland, and Radiotelevisió Valenciana.

“A really intuitive and intelligent artist at work.
“The Strad Magazine (Wigmore Hall, London)

“Alexander Somov triumphed with a characterful performance of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto."
The Strad (Dvořák Concerto with The Philharmonia Orchestra, London)

“Alexander, this remarkably talented, indeed marvellous, cellist."
Martin Lovett, Amadeus Quartet

“Alexander Somov gave a performance of glowing warmth, character, and power, as his golden tone radiated out in the strongest waves."
Mathew Connolly, The Times (Schumann Cello Concerto with Northern Sinfonia under Thomas Zehetmair)

“He came, he saw, he conquered!"
The DNA Journal, Strasbourg* (Schumann Cello Concerto with Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg, conductor Lionel Bringuier)

“There was a lyrical, narrative quality and an impulsive fire to his playing."
The Daily Telegraph (Music at the Wallace Collection, London)

“…Alexander Somov captivates the audience; his performance was a pure indulgence for the senses. Marvellous technique, impressive passion, and temperament."
Kultura Magazine, Bulgaria