Lazarof, Henri

Henri Lazarof (1932-2013) was a Bulgarian-American composer who became known for his diverse instrumental works for solo instruments and various chamber and instrumental ensembles. Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, his musical education began in Israel, where he studied music composition in Jerusalem. After a short stay in Rome, he settled in the United States, where he graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree from Brandeis University in 1959. He wrote more than 150 works, including seven symphonies, concertos and chamber works, many of which were inspired by his passion for the visual arts. In addition to his work as a composer, he was a faculty member at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he organized contemporary music festivals. Lazarof was known for his experimental approach to modern music and his avoidance of repetition of motifs, always seeking new ways of musical expression.