World famous Russian violinist Maxim Vengerov is to unveil tonight the 18^th edition of the European Music Festival. Together with the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra he will perform Violin Concerto in D Major by J. Brahms. Symphony №1 of the great composer will also sound, conducted by Nayden Todorov.

Barely at the age of 5 Maxim Vengerov decided he wanted to pursue the career of a musician. He won the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition at the age of 10 and 5 years later the next success followed – at the Carl Flesch Competition. Today the 44-year-old violinist turns into the soloist of the greatest orchestras, often becomes the conductor and also sees his lectures at the Royal College of Music in London as a most responsible mission. ‘One word might determine the future of a young musician – to inspire it or ruin it,’ the violinist comments, adding that he owes everything to his tutor, mentor and idol – cello player MstislavRostropovich.

The schedule of the European Music Festival includes a total of 13 events with famous musicians from Italy, Spain, the USA, Russia etc. Three bright Bulgarian concert masters gather on April 25^th – Albena Danailova, Dimitar Ivanov and Simeon Simeonov. The Dalia Quartet from Spain will premiere works of contemporary Spanish composers. World famous Russian violist Yuri Bashmet will play on May 17^th and pianist Georgii Cherkin will close the festival on June 15^th with own arrangements of his favorite piano pieces in the Summer Stage program.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev