In her book “Paganini of the twentieth century” the author Lada Brashovanova-Stancheva describes the road of life of the great Bulgarian violinist Vasco Abadjiev (14.01.1926-14.12.1978). He is a son of Nikola Abadjiev - a violin professor at Sofia Conservatory, and Lala Piperova – a pianist.

Along with details of the manifestations of Vasco Abadjiev, in the book are described above all its first concerts in Sofia. The following are details of his unusually early international awards and the sequence of its concerts.
In June 1932 he plays in Vienna before the jury of The First international competition in violin (in which G. Kulenkampf, B. Huberman, K. Flesh, Y. Kubelik, G. Enesku, Nikola Abadjiev and others have participated) an extremely difficult program. The six-year child becomes the sensation of the contest. Among the great violinists of the 20 century only he has an international debut of this young age. One year later he already plays its own compositions! – before E. Dohnani in Budapest and later before J. Thibaud in Sofia.

After the nine years old Vasco already had a secondary school diploma, in 1936 he left for Brussels with his parents. There, at the First international competition "E. Ysaye" - 1937, he received the Special Prize and the highest rating (the highest competitive mark). First prize receives 28 year-old David Oistrach.

In May 1938 Vasco Abadjiev was awarded with First Prize and gold medal at the VI International violin competition "Fritz Chrysler” in Liege. He also received the first prize of the Brussels conservatoire and a gold medal from King Leopold III, whom he visited in the palace.

After the 13-years old Bulgarian child phenomenon finished the Brussels conservatoire with the highest distinction, he starts a glorious concert tour in Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark and Sweden.

At the beginning of World War II the family Abadjiev settled in Berlin, where Vasco perfected in playing the violin and piano, composition and in counterpoint. He gave concerts under the conductor's baton of W. Furtvengler, K. Byom, N. Bongartz, H. Abendrot, Y. Mengelberg and other famous conductors, and played in numerous ensembles for chamber music or solo concerts.

The hard war and post-war years affected the extremely sensitive mentality of Vasco Abadjiev. After the death of his father (1947) he spared considerable time for composition and chamber music.

From 1952 to 1956 Vasco Abadjiev lives with his mother almost exclusively in Bulgaria, where he gives many concerts, recitals and concerts with orchestras, which have become legendary. In 1953 he is honoured with the highest distinction for culture in Bulgaria – Dimitrov’s award – 1st degree.

Vasco settled with his mother in Germany after 1956. After her death (1965), for the absolutely unpractical and dependent virtuoso followed 13 hard and sad years. A car accident, illnesses, material troubles, loneliness - these are only some of the many tragic moments in the life of this genius, which resembles the life of W. A. Mozart in its first and last years.

On 14.12.1978 Vasco Abadjiev was found dead in the city railway in Hamburg.
For the generations remain the memories of his phenomenal performances and records, much of which are in the Golden Fund of the Bulgarian radio. Peak of his mastership are the interpretations of compositions of J. S. Bach and N. Paganini.

Here are some reviews for his performances:

George Enescu, Vienna, 16.06.1932: A really genius child. Even if you leave him on an island like Robinzon – he will become a musician!

"Neue Freie Presse, Vienna, June 1932: Vasco Abadjiev is a child - phenomenon!

Jacques Thibaud, Sofia, 28.11.1934: To the charming little Vasco Abadjiev, who must give to the violin art one of the biggest and rarest names!

"Gazette de Liege, 20.05.1938: We don’t hesitate to say that in the personality of Vasco Abadjiev we see a young phenomenon!

Fritz Chrysler, April, 1939: To Vasco with wish for glory!

Hermann Abendrot, Sofia, 2.06.1953: I have conducted the greatest violinists in the world but Vasco Abadjiev is a unique phenomenon.

David Oistrach, Moscow, June, 1974: Without doubt Vasco Abadjiev is the most genial performer of Bach of our time.

Yehudi Menuhin, Moscow, June, 1974: Vasco Abadjiev plays divinely - you Bulgarians should be proud of him!