The first winner of the Academician Marin Goleminov prize, awarded for contribution to Bulgarian culture during the past season, became the Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble with conductor Plamen Dzhurov. The award ceremony took place in the Vladimir Dimitrov-Master Gallery in Bulgaria’s Kyustendil - hometown of Marin Goleminov. Along with the grand prize there was an accompanying prize called the "Golden Quartet." The "Quarto Quartet" grabbed this award.

This year Bulgaria marks 108 years since the birth of great Bulgarian composer Marin Goleminov. He was born on September 28, 1908, and passed away in 2000. The idea of ​​establishing a prize has come from Lily Goleminova - granddaughter of the composer and part of the team of BNR’s Radio Sofia. She told us more about the work of the jury that includes famous Bulgarian composers and musicologists.

"It was a natural process of discussion. I do not even remember who first suggested Sofia Soloists but all agreed about their successes. In Portugal, shortly before he passed away, my grandfather wrote a piece for string orchestra and women's choir, and the Soloists recently presented its premiere. The orchestra offered a number of premiers and interesting programs this season. We should also not forget the fact that in the first years after the founding of the Sofia Soloists, Marin Goleminov was its conductor. Prof. Plamen Dzhurov, a student of my grandfather, has told me that the audience across the world knows and expects the works of Goleminov in their repertoire. The Marin Goleminov Association created in Kyustendil immediately after the composer’s death is responsible for the organisation of the award ceremony and the municipality and a local company provide the prizes.”

Here is more from professor Dzhurov:

"Winning the first Marin Goleminov National Award is undoubtedly something one remembers for life. It is a memorable sign that makes you want to continue the story and show its meaning today. Years have passed since the times I used to meet professor Goleminov several times a week. I cannot decide yet whether it was the specific professional guidance or his presence that mostly affected me. He was not very voluble, and used to speak quickly, using short sentences. He often resorted to Bulgarian proverbs. I remembered them and they made me think and ask questions. To this very day I continue to rediscover his music, his ability to put his idea in some kind of formula ..."

Among the official guests at the award ceremony was Professor Natasha Yapova from the National Academy of Music.

Marin Goleminov is that figure in Bulgarian music that affirmed the place of chamber music. This type of music focuses on the sound; it is music for listening and for music making. It comes from the tradition of performing in palaces, where aristocrats gathered to socialize through this art. There was no such tradition in Bulgaria and just 6 decades after Bulgaria’s Independence, Marin Goleminov affirmed the place of chamber music in through his works.

English: Alexander Markov