Grandpa was a genius
1915. Sixteen-year-old Pancho Vladigerov, a Bulgarian composer of Jewish origin, arrives in Berlin with a scholarship from the Bulgarian King. Although the scholarship is only meant for one, his twin brother Lulu – a violinist accompanies him. Over the next fifteen years, they create some of their most captivating works, performed in the great concert halls across the world. Yet only Pancho will be celebrated as a genius, while Lulu remains the virtuoso in his shadow.
Suddenly, their success is interrupted by history. Hitler’s power rises. The twins return to Bulgaria, but their homeland is still under fascist rule. Pancho’s Jewish heritage puts him in danger. After the communist takeover in 1944, his “fascist past” turn into a liability in Bulgaria. Compelled by the regime, he begins composing works aligned with its ideology. Once a celebrated European figure, his international career slowly fades. He turns to teaching at the conservatory that now bears his name.
A century later, his legacy lives on through his grandchildren – the twin brothers Alexander and Konstantin – an acclaimed jazz duo; Ekaterina, a perfectionist pianist; and Pancho Vladigerov Jr., a pianist and pedagogue in Berlin. They carry both the gift and the weight of the family name. But with no children to inherit it, the Vladigerov dynasty, with more than a century of musical tradition, may come to an end. Now, the time has come for them to tell the extraordinary story of their grandpa, who was once considered a genius.
Suddenly, their success is interrupted by history. Hitler’s power rises. The twins return to Bulgaria, but their homeland is still under fascist rule. Pancho’s Jewish heritage puts him in danger. After the communist takeover in 1944, his “fascist past” turn into a liability in Bulgaria. Compelled by the regime, he begins composing works aligned with its ideology. Once a celebrated European figure, his international career slowly fades. He turns to teaching at the conservatory that now bears his name.
A century later, his legacy lives on through his grandchildren – the twin brothers Alexander and Konstantin – an acclaimed jazz duo; Ekaterina, a perfectionist pianist; and Pancho Vladigerov Jr., a pianist and pedagogue in Berlin. They carry both the gift and the weight of the family name. But with no children to inherit it, the Vladigerov dynasty, with more than a century of musical tradition, may come to an end. Now, the time has come for them to tell the extraordinary story of their grandpa, who was once considered a genius.