Boyan Ikonomov studied Theory of Music, Harmony and Counterpoint with Nikola Atanassov and Piano with Nedialka Torchanova. He graduated from the Free University in Sofia (1926) and the Schola Cantorum in Paris (1932), where he studied Composition under Vincent d’Indy and Guy de Lincour, and also Viola and Organ. He studied Composition with Nadia Boulanger and Albert Roussel, too. In 1934 he took part in conducting master classes given by F. Weigartner in Basel, Switzerland. Up to 1937 he lived in Paris working as freelance composer and conductor. In 1934 he founded and conducted the Haiduk Male Voices Choir made up of Bulgarian immigrants in France, with which he performed only Bulgarian music. During the period he also conducted symphony concerts featuring works by Bulgarian composers in Paris, Lyon, Lausanne, Rome, Vienna and Wroclaw. In 1937 he returned to Bulgaria. He was appointed Music Director of Radio Sofia (1937-48); Music Director of the Bulgarian Cinematography Enterprise (1948-56); Head of Symphony Orchestras Section of the Music Art Department at the Ministry of Culture (1956-57) and Vice Editor-in-chief of the Music Department of Radio Sofia (1957-60). His work includes mainly instrumental music.

He wrote an opera; three ballets; three cantatas; two oratorios; four symphonies; a sinfonietta; four symphonic poems and other works for symphony orchestra; six string quartets and other chamber works; choral and solo songs; music to documentaries and feature films, etc.

Stage music:
Indje Voyvoda (1960; 1969, Stara Zagora).

Ballets:
The Seven Mortal Sins (1933, not staged);
The Tragedy of Othello (1935, not staged);
Light Overwhelms Everything (1967, Sofia).

Children’s Operetta: The Little Shifters.

Choral-orchestral works:
Oratories:
Legend of Shipka (1948); Vasil Levski (1972).

Cantatas:
Nocturne for female voices choir, orchestra and harp (1956);

Ballad of the Hero, words by Veselin Hanchev (1954);
Ballad of Budyonis Horsemen, words by I. Davidkov (1958).
Nocturne for female voices choir, orchestra and harp (1956).

Works for symphony orchestra:
Symphonies:
Symphony N1 (1937); Symphony N2 (1947); Symphony N3 (1955); Symphony N4 (1972). Sinfonietta (1934).

Symphonic poems:
The Life Which I Wanted To Be A Poem, after poems by Elisaveta Bagriana (1932);
Kaliakra (1934);
Rhodope Poem (1948);
Bulgarian Poem (1954).

Suites:
Land Without Hedgerows (1950);
Poem of Labour (1953);
Sunny Morning; Rachenitza (1931);
Pastoral (1938);
Mountain Shar Symphonic Picture (1942);
Days on the River Drava Heroic Overture (1960);
Heroic Prelude (1953);

Violin Concerto (1951);
Concertino for piano (1958).

Works for chamber orchestra:
Macedonian Melodies (1955);
Folksongs from Pirin (1955);
Thracian Suite (1956);

Divertimento for string quartet and orchestra (1956);
Suite after four folksongs (1962).

Works for string orchestra:
Two Pieces (1954).

Chamber Music:
String Quartets:
Quartet N1 (1933); Quartet N2 (1937); Quartet N3 (1941); Quartet N4 (1944); Quartet N5 (1945); Quartet N6 (1949).

Little Suite for wind orchestra (1950);
Two Trios for oboe, clarinet and bassoon;
Sonata for violoncello (1930);
Haiduk Rhapsody and Song, both for violin and piano (1932);
Four Small Pieces for Harpsichord (1937);
Grotesque for double bass (1959);
Arabesque for oboe and piano (1959).

Film music:
Daughter-In-Law, directed by A. Marinovich (1954);
The Secret Supper of the Sedmaks, directed by D. Dakovski (1956);
Ivaylo, directed by N. Valchev (1963).