Krassimir Sterev was born in Bulgaria where he started his musical education in Plovdiv. He continued his studies at the University of Music Graz, as well as in Denmark where he held a scholarship from the Royal Danish Academy of Music, graduating as accordion soloist. His musical development was strongly influenced by teachers like Mogens Ellegaard, James Crabb, and Georg Schulz.
Krassimir Sterev performs internationally as a soloist and member of chamber music formations, ensembles, and orchestras and plays at many renowned festivals. His engagements include appearances in various theatre and dance productions and projects specifically developed for children.
Krassimir Sterev became a member of Klangforum Wien in 2003. He has also worked with the Vienna Philharmonic (under Pierre Boulez and Daniel Barenboim), the Los Angeles Philharmonic (under Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla), the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (under Susanna Mälkki), the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the RSO Wien, as well as with the ensembles MusikFabrik and Phace. He is also part of the Amos Trio. Since October 2015 Krassimir Sterev is professor of the accordion class at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Munich.
In addition, Krassimir Sterev focuses his attention on the development of a special repertoire for accordion. Many composers have written new pieces for him – amongst them Francesca Verunelli, Chaya Czernowin, Olga Neuwirth, Dorothea Hoffmann, Mirela Ivičević, Bernhard Lang, Pierluigi Billone, Bernhard Gander, Michalis Lapidakis, Stylianos Dimou, Peter Kerkelov, Dragomir Jossifov, Simeon Pironkoff, Aureliano Cattaneo, Clemens Gadenstätter, Hannes Kerschbaumer – which he premièred.