Tsvetan Tsvetanov studied Violin with Professor Vladimir Avramov. He graduated from the State Academy of Music majoring in Composition under Professor Parashkev Hadjiev and Professor Pancho Vladigerov. He worked as music publications editor at the Central House of the Bulgarian Armed Forces (1956-58). In 1956 he joined the staff of the State Academy of Music as a lecturer in Harmony, in 1976 he became professor of Composition and Harmony. He was Secretary of the Union of Bulgarian Composers (1976-77). As a composer, he was member of juries at competitions and festivals.

He composed two ballets; an oratorio; four symphonies; Concerto for orchestra and other symphony works; chamber music; a number of choral and solo songs; folksong arrangements; theatre and film music, etc. His music is emotional, melodious, with a clear structure. His compositional style is characterised by large-scale dramaturgy. His works were performed in many countries worldwide. He won prestigious awards including the Literature and Art Award (1982).

Stage music:
Ballets:
Orpheus and Rhodopa (1960);
Legend of Sibin (1982).

Choral-orchestral works:

The Great Beginning – symphonic poem for narrator and symphony orchestra (1961);
The Ladder – ballad for alto, choir and orchestra (1966);
Ballad about Botev’s Kiss for choir and symphony orchestra (1979);
Returning to the Feat for narrator and wind orchestra (1977).

Works for symphony orchestra:

Symphony No. 1 (1964);
Symphony №2 (1969);
Symphony N3 (1972).
Sinfonietta (1956);
Suite from the ballet Orpheus and Rhodopa (1961);
Overture (1968);
Joyful Overture (1971);
Festive Concerto (1974);
Symphonic Variations (1976).

Works for wind orchestra:

April 1876 Overture (1969).

Works for chamber orchestra:

Symphony N4 (1975).
Concertino for piano and chamber orchestra (1970).

Chamber Music:

Theme with variations for string quartet (1955);
Sonata for violin and piano (1955);
20 light pieces for violin and piano (1965);
Two pieces for flute and piano (1968);
Concert piece for flute and piano (1969);
Prelude, song and choral for violin and piano (1975);
Sonata for violoncello and piano (1979).

For piano:
Sonatina (1967).

For traditional music orchestra:
Pletenitza (Tangle) (1982).