Do you want to listen to good music performed by young, inspired artists? You could visit the National Academy of Music "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov,” but keep in mind that the concerts are many and interesting. In recent years, the academy has been more active than ever in its concert activities and Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Borislava Taneva told us more about the big number of projects:

“Traditionally, the concerts of the Academic Symphony Orchestra take place each Wednesday. There is an increasing number of soloists, who are our foreign students. Our long-standing partners from the Zürcher Hochschule der Künste in Zurich, whose conductor class have concerts in our hall once a semester, are soon visiting us. Another interesting event is the Academic Bass Fest, which this year will have international participation. This is a wonderful initiative of the String Instruments Department. Roman Patkoló and Lubinko Lazic have used the stage of the academy to hold master classes. The Young Talents Contest for double bass players – students up to the age of 19 is also coming. Another highlight in our concert program is the ‘Viola Days’ festival (October 23rd to October 25th), which presents leading names in the ‘world of viola’. The students from the Vocal Faculty are actively participating in performances of opera theaters in Bulgaria. Colleagues have also organized an academic competition. In the middle of November our guest will be world famous Bulgarian opera singer Krasimira Stoyanova, who will hold a ten-day master class.”

From Professor Taneva we also learned that some of the concerts that are part of the program of the Festival of Brazilian Classical Music in Bulgaria take place in the Music Academy, with the participation of prominent professors.

“The Studentum opera scripta electronic magazine has started functioning these days. Together with Almanac, which is our scientific journal, the new online platform enables students from all disciplines to publish their own works, stimulating scientific expression,” Prof. Taneva adds. “We have very good contacts with Bulgarian cultural institutes in European capitals - Wittgenstein in Vienna, Boris Hristov in Rome and others. The traditional students audition is also upcoming as students will have the opportunity to perform abroad and be trained by foreign specialists.

I would like to point out our wonderful cooperation with the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. Some of our students have concerts with this prestigious orchestra in the Bulgaria Hall, of course after audition. With the help of the Ministry of Culture, we have significant number of projects dedicated to the 110th anniversary of Pancho Vladigerov's birth. A concert with emblematic works of the composer, which opened the academic year, will be repeated at the Festival of Opera and Ballet in Stara Zagora in December.”

Other events dedicated to composer Pancho Vladigerov include "Spring Readings", an award in his name for a student or doctoral students who have excelled in their specialty, as well as the grand opening of a bust of the composer. A very valuable book is also to be soon published, including thoughts and interviews of the famous pianist Alexis Weissenberg, who was born in Bulgaria and who is known for his performances of Pancho Vladigerov’s works.

“We strive for students from all disciplines to receive comprehensive training in order to boldly embark on what awaits them upon graduation,” Prof. Taneva says. “I myself am very grateful to have met the right people at the right time. I owe a lot to Julia Ganeva, Milena Kurteva, Jacob Lateiner, Ludwig Hoffman and others. In my opinion, the essence of life lies in transferring experience. Students of the National Academy of Music Prof. Pancho Vladigerov have the opportunity to learn from prominent musicians and to develop their skills in various projects.”

English: Alexander Markov