On 25 May Pioner (Pioneer) Philharmonic Orchestra is giving a concert at Bulgaria Hall in Sofia. The event marks the orchestra’s 65th anniversary, and the 105th birth anniversary of its founder Prof. Vladi Simeonov.

The chronology of the philharmonic staffed with children and teenagers, is dotted with countless success stories, recognition and memorable concerts. Thousands of children and teens have been members of this orchestra thus receiving the chance of creating art and performing on some of the world’s most reputable stages. Led by conductor Prof. Simeonov the young instrumentalists have given concerts in Germany, Britain, Italy, USA, Mexico, Brazil and other countries.

The Executive Director of Prof. Vladi Simeonov foundation Ass. Prof. Alexander Peshev presents the program of the gala:

“The first part features three works. First, Pioner will play Jupiter from the orchestral suite The Planets by Gustav Holst. With the Second Movement from Concertino for Violin and Orchestra by Parashakev Hadjiev we shall mark the composer’s 105th birth anniversary. This year also marks the 95th birth anniversary of Alexander Raichev. We commemorate him with fragments from his ballet Haidouk Song. In the second part of the concert Pioner Philharmonic Orchestra will play one of its signature works, Symphony No. 9 - From the New World - by Antonin Dvorak.

The years around 1989, which set a dividing line in the political history of this country, impacted on Pioner Philharmonic Orchestra as well. For a long time, the orchestra stopped its activity, but was restored and again took its place in the musical life of Bulgaria. Today its conductor is Lubomir Denev Jr., with whom the orchestra successfully performs in Bulgaria and abroad.

“After the orchestra resumed work we managed to earn the trust of the audience and specialists”, Prof. Peshev goes on to say. “We have established very good collaboration with the music schools in the country. Every year Plovdiv schools send children to our creative workshops. They traveled with us at the Festival of Youth Orchestras in Berlin in 2016. We have the support of the schools in Rousse, Pleven and Varna. Thus, Pioner has become a fully functional symphony orchestra with excellent instrumental skills. In the upcoming concert 85 young musicians will playing on stage. Pioner Philharmonic has always been part of the National Children's Palace. Today, the main support is received from the management of this institution and personally from Mrs. Tatyana Doseva, as well as from the Ministry of Education.”

A former instrumentalist from Pioner Philharmonic, and a famous doctor today, Prof. Alexander Peshev has dear memories of the orchestra and its founder and conductor Prof. Vladi Simeonov:

“It was thrilling to play under his baton. He was a remarkable musician – his glance, hands, everything emanated music. I am not a professional musician but I have to this day remained in love with art. He taught us to appreciate good music and we are very grateful to him. When he got angry he would call us ‘black devils’ but I think no one was cross with him. We go back to those moments with a smile. He was after worthwhile achievements. One of the particularly emotional moments for me was my first tour back in 1974 – to Edinburgh, Aberdeen and London, and after that the participation in the Herbert von Karajan competition in West Berlin and the special prize that Pioner won. I will never forget our concert in USA in 1979 in the United Nations hall. At the final rehearsal we met with Leonard Bernstein. Direct contact with this great figure in world music was unique. I was then leader of the viola section and was just a meter away from him. I could see his facial expression. He was very emotional while conducting. I remember that in the opening seconds we were a bit nervous but then the magic gripped the orchestra and we played Scherzo from Symphony No. 7 by Beethoven as if we had always played under his baton. I recently watched again the video from that time – the whole orchestra is not looking at the scores but at Bernstein. However, to be able to play music like was fully Prof. Vladi Simeonov’s merit.”

English Daniela Konstantinova

Audio features the following performances of Pioner (Pioneer) Philharmonic Orchestra

1. Sabre Dance from the ballet Gayane by Aram Khachaturian, conductor Lubomir Denev Jr.

2. Symphony No. 9, From the New World by Antonin Dvorak, Third Movement, conductor Lubomir Denev Jr.

3. Polovetsian Dances, a fragment, from the opera Prince Igor by Alexander Borodin, conductor Vladi Simeonov

4. Song by Pancho Vladigerov, soloist Svetlin Roussev (violin), conductor Lubomir Denev Jr.