Roussi Tarmakov studied at the Higher Institute of Architecture and Civil Engineering (today’s Architecture and Civil Engineering University) in Sofia (1967-72). He graduated from the State Academy of Music in 1980 majoring in Composition under Professor Zdravko Manolov. In 1985 he won a scholarship of the Gaudeamus Foundation (The Netherlands). In 1991 he specialised in the Cite des Arts (Paris). He worked as accompanist at the Ballet School, editor at the Bulgarian National Radio, repertoire director of the State Music Theatre. In 2000 he was appointed music producer at the Bulgarian National Radio. He is one of the founders of DNMB, a member of the Board of Directors since 1993, and in 2000 he was elected its chairman. Since 2001 until his death he has lived and worked in Toronto, Canada.

He composed symphonic, chamber instrumental and vocal works; songs; theatre music, etc. His music language focuses on the modal richness of the Bulgarian traditional music, which determine the use of structural, colouristic and other contemporary composition techniques. His music was widely performed in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland. He recorded for the Bulgarian National Radio and Radio Suisse Romande. In addition, his works were performed at authoritative festivals including the Moscow Autumn Festival (1997, 2000), the ISCM World Music Days in Seoul (1997), the Musica Contemporanea Festival in Trieste (1998), the Days of Europe in Bratislava (1998).

His music was also often performed during the festivals March Music Days in Ruse, Musica Nova in Sofia, Sofia Music Weeks and Wien Modern in Vienna. His Folk Music for seven instruments won the first prize at the Reine Marie Jose Competition in Geneva (1984).

Works for symphony orchestra:

Symphony (1980);
Gift for large orchestra (1990);
Urban Tunes for trumpet and orchestra (1986);
Rustic Music for three solo percussionists and orchestra (1987);
Maybe… a Tango – for violin and orchestra (1993).

Chamber Music:

Music for eight performers (1989);
Folk Music for seven instruments (1983);
Music for seven virtuosos (1987).;
Italian Music – for clarinet, piano and string quartet (1985);
Rococo Music – for wind quintet (1984);
Music for wind quintet (1988);
String Quartet (1985);
Cadenzas and Ensembles for string quartet (1996);
Music for Two – for violin and kettledrums (1994);
A Little Thriller (with two cadenzas and finale) for flute and harpsichord (1995);
Folk Magic for solo marimba (1991).

For piano:

Sonatina (1979);
Minimal in G from 3/4 to 8/4 and….only 3/4 for the End (1999).

Vocal music:

Traditional Music for six female voices (1987);
Happening for a solo singer (1992).