Traditionally the Sofia Music Weeks International Festival kicks off on May 24 – the Day of Slavonic Alphabet, Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture. The agenda of the forthcoming 46^th edition envisages chamber and symphonic concerts and several musical stage works. Important anniversaries will be marked – 75 years of the birth of Bulgarian composer Alexander Jossifov, the 100^th death anniversary of Alexander Scriabin, the 130^th birth anniversary of Maurice Ravel. Some of the accents of the event: the performances of cellist Valentin Radutiu, pianist Evgeni Bozhanov, the US Harington string quartet , the Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble, pianist Plamena Mangova etc. The accompanying events are no less significant as usual. Focus on Jazz – that is how Zafer Galibov named his exhibition, presenting photos of jazz musician Milcho Leviev. Scientific conferences, master classes and workshops are forthcoming as well. The Frosh string quartet from Bulgaria, one of the most successful chamber formations here is also among the participants.

“The Pioneer Philharmonic Orchestra will have the honor to unveil the festival this year – it is one of the oldest artistic formations of the National Palace of Children, established back in 1946. The most remarkable pages in the history of the orchestra were linked to the long-year leadership of conductor Prof. Vladi Simeonov. He took the children across Europe, also in Mexico, the USA… Leonard Bernstein himself conducted Pioneer orchestra at a rehearsal before a concert at the UN’s building in 1979. He left the following autograph afterwards: “This is not an orchestra of pioneers. This is the peak of civilization!”

Pupils from the National School of Music, students from the National Academy of Music and kids from other schools are part of the formation today. Young conductor Lyubomir Denev Jr. gives us details from the program of the festive concertmatinee, as he has run the orchestra for several years:

“We will perform Improvisation and Toccata from Pancho Vladigerov, Polovtsian Dance from the Prince Igor Opera of Alexander Borodin, Night on Bald Mountain of Modest Mussorgsky and several other pieces. The accent is on Slavonic music – due to the specific date of the concert. The global premiere of the Athens Suite for Piano and Symphonic Orchestra will be held there as well. It was composed by Bulgarian Jean Panayotov, who lives in Germany. Flutist Amanda Nikolova from Pioneer and clarinet player Prof. Rossen Idealov will perform Tarantella by Saint Sans. After this concert we will take part in a huge program, devoted to the 65^th anniversary of the National Palace of Children. In July we will once again gather over 90 instrumentalists in the Balkan Youth Orchestra. The concert is within the frameworks of Varna Summer. Thanks to the contacts with the music schools in Nish and Thessaloniki last year we played together for the first time.

I do see it as a great honor and responsibility to conduct this orchestra that has gained global recognition over the years. We had the chance to implement our projects and to play thanks to the Prof. Vladi Simeonov Foundation and the National Palace of Children. The Pioneer Philharmonic Orchestra is a place, where young instrumentalists gain experience and prepare themselves for active participation in the music life of Bulgaria.”

“The Bodra Smyana Choir will also take part in the concert on May 24 with the Hymn of St. St. Cyril and Methodius. The event kicks off at noon. We invite everyone, willing to celebrate together for free the most beloved Bulgarian fest,” Lyubomir Denev Jr. said.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev