The National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” celebrates its 95th anniversary with two concerts – on 6 Dec. at the grand hall of the Academy in Sofia, and on 7th Dec. at the Opera House in Stara Zagora. The program features works by Vassil Kazandjiev, Lyubomir Pipkov, Alexander Raichev, Gaetano Donizetti, Giacomo Puccini, Franz Schubert and of course, by Pancho Vladigerov. The Academic Symphony Orchestra conducted by Prof. Plamen Djouroff will perform on stage jointly with selected soloists, holders of prestigious awards.

More about the celebrations and the latest about the National Academy of Music (NAM), from its rector Prof. Dimitar Tsanev.

„The program of the concerts is diverse and it has been selected to present the overall level of students in different majors – instrumentalists, singers, orchestral performances. Over time the profile of the Academy has not changed dramatically in terms of concept – there has been much more change in terms of technology, the educational environment and international contacts. For some majors the emphasis is laid on electronic instruments, and in the field of classical education we prefer to follow established traditions. Our plans include a kind of an ‘outsourced centrifugal policy’ of international exchange and promotion of our internal production. We have recently bought a new concert grand piano of premium quality and we are proud of it. Also, we are proud of the countless prizes won for both instrumental and vocal art. The vestige left by Bulgaria in European cultural heritage and especially in music is quite remarkable though the country is relatively small. I should like to thank everybody who has contributed to the high level of the Academy’s achievements that have also been made obvious in its high academic rating.”

Here is some history: the State Academy of Music as was NAM’s original name, was founded at the initiative of the Minister of Public Education Stoyan Omarchevski. It was set up under a Royal Decree dated 21 July 1921 issued by King Boris III. In 1928 the Academic Orchestra started work under the baton of prominent Bulgarian conductor Prof. Sasha Popov. The orchestra was later the basis to form the Royal Symphony Orchestra, today’s the Sofia Philharmonic In 1954 the Academy had three faculties and was renamed to Bulgarian State Conservatory. In 1955 it already had a professional choir and a symphony orchestra. An operatic studio and an academic musical theater were attached to the Vocal Faculty. In 2006 the institution was again renamed to become the “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” National Academy of Music. It currently trains students in 46 majors for different academic degrees. NAM regularly hosts master classes, lectures and concerts of outstanding musicians.

English Daniela Konstantinova

Audio features the following works:

1.  Solemn Fanfarеs by Vassil Kazandjiev performed by a mixed orchestra, conductor Vassil Kazandjiev

2.  Concerto for violin and orchestra No. 1 by Pancho Vladigerov, Second movement Andante cantabile, performed by Svetlin Roussev, violin, and the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra with conductor Emil Tabakov

3.  Mass in G dur – Kyrie eleison by Franz Schubert in the rendition of the Polyphonia Chamber Choir, conductor Lyudmila Gerova