Nickolai Sheikov

Boston based harpsichordist Nickolai Sheikov began his first music lessons on the piano at the age of nine in his native country of Bulgaria. Later, he received professional music training at the L. Pipkov National School of Music in Sofia in piano performance, graduating cum laude in 1999. In 2000, after being awarded a full scholarship at Boston’s New England Conservatory of Music, Mr. Sheikov further perused his studies, receiving both Bachelor and Master degrees in Harpsichord Performance. His prime teacher and mentor there was harpsichordist John Gibbons. Upon graduating, Mr. Sheikov has been participating in a number of harpsichord master classes, both in Europe and USA, with Gustav Leonhard, Menno van Delft, Peter Watchorn, Jaap Schröder (chamber music) amongst others.

While the main focus of Mr. Sheikov’s repertoire is the music of the late 16th, 17th and early18th centuries, he also explores works of the 20th century as well as current harpsichord repertoire. Such performances include compositions by Robert Baksa, Daniel Pinkham, Elodie Lauten, Bohuslav Martinu, Manuel Ponce, and others. At the dawn of his performing career, Mr. Sheikov’s numerous solo performances have been critically acclaimed. The Boston Musical Intelligencer described him as a “noteworthy” and “an excellent harpsichordist”. 2015 marks a critically acclaimed solo debut CD release of sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti for the Musica Omnia label with a second recording to follow in 2017. In 2016, Mr. Sheikov has founded and directed the Early Music Evenings concert series in Boston, which focuses on period instrument performances.

Currently Mr. Sheikov performs as a soloist and chamber musician at various music venues in USA and abroad. Past highlights include recitals in National Palace of Culture in Bulgaria, Jordan Hall in Boston, First Church of Boston Concert Series, First Church in Cambridge, Boston Early Music Festival Fringe Concerts, Boston Community Music Center Kleshinski Concert Series, Friends Meeting House Concerts. In addition, he has partnered with artist such as guitar virtuoso Grisha Goryachev, harpsichordist Elaine Comparone and BSO oboist Keisuke Wakao.
Currently Mr. Sheikov serves as the Chair of the Piano/Keyboard Department at the Community Music Center of Boston, where he teaches both harpsichord and piano. For more information, please visit the artist’s web page at www.sheikov.com.