The oldest symphony orchestra in Bulgaria has been preparing for the next concert season. World-famous opera singers Veselina Katsarova, Krasimira Stoyanova, and Orlin Atanasov will perform, as well as a number of soloists and conductors, who are to appear for the first time in front of Bulgarian audience. French musical culture will have a special place in the forum but it is too early to reveal all the surprises in the 2015-2016 billboard. Director of the orchestra is Viktor Stoyanov who has been working with his team for about 5 months. At a meeting with media he announced that more than 3000 young musicians have been to concerts for free under a new program, entitled “You Have a Reserved Place.” An orchestra academy would be also created. Prominent Bulgarian violinist Svetlin Rusev has also joined the management of the Sofia Philharmonic, becoming its artistic advisor.

Svetlin Rusev has been the concertmaster of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the French National Radio since 2005. Two years later he became chief guest concertmaster of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Seoul. He is a professor of violin at the National Conservatory in Paris (Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris). He has been the winner of a great number of awards from prestigious competitions. He actively performs as a soloist with orchestras and in chamber projects.

"Yes, I am very busy. But for me it's a mission. If I can help the Sofia Philharmonic I would be happy to do so. A year ago I recorded a CD with works by Pancho Vladigerov. I know it is ‘a drop in the ocean’ that contributes to the promotion of Bulgarian music. I'm glad that it was well received. All of us who are in the team will use their experience and contacts, and would follow the best world practices. Important tasks are to attract more audience and also - to create better working conditions for musicians. The concert hall will be repaired. I have been having talks with luthiers who are to provide maintenance of the instruments. This is a very important moment in my development and I see this job as an important recognition. The Bulgarian audience has always welcomed me warmly. If you ask me about the ‘French connection’ in the program for the next season, I cannot give you much details because they will have to be a surprise, but what I can say is that there will be various unperformed works from different periods. We will present musicians who rarely perform as soloists. Guest musicians will hold master classes and would meet with Bulgarian musicians."

Chief conductor of the Sofia Philharmonic remains Martin Panteleev, who also has a number of professional commitments abroad. Guest conductor will be Maxim Ashkenazi, creator of educational programs for children and adults. Slovenian conductor Uroš Lajovic will also take part in the program. During the next season the audience will enjoy performances by French pianist and conductor Jean Bernard Pommier, conductor Ljubka Biagioni and others.

English: Alexander Markov

The audio file contains the following works:

1.  "Waltz" from "Four Pieces," Opus 12 by Pancho Vladigerov

2.   "Scheherazade" by Rimsky-Korsakov

3.   Symphony №6 by Tchaikovsky, fragment