We welcome the new year in with the famous Many Years Prayer known in Bulgaria as “Mnogoletstvie” (Polychronion) of Russian composer Dmitry Bortniansky which is always performed in the very first moments of the arrival of the new year here. The majestic voice is of Bulgarian basso Boris Christoff – one of the most emblematic opera singers who ever lived. In his performance the unrivalled basso singer altered the canonical church text and turned it into a prayer for well-being, peace, health and salvation of the devout Orthodox Bulgarian nation.

Grant long life, O Lord,

And preserve the devout Orthodox Bulgarian Nation

Unto many years.

Let us turn our attention also to the young generation of Bulgarian performers who brought us much joy and pride with their achievements throughout 2019. The greatest among them is the first award that the young pianist Emanuil Ivanov won at the Ferrucio Busoni International Piano Competition. After this successful presentation Emanuil who studies at the Royal Conservatory in Birmingham, visited the Bulgarian stage – in a concert of laureates from the Young Virtuosos International Contest and in the programme of the prestigious Piano Extravaganza prestigious festival.

It is impossible to mention the names of all international contests where the talented violinist Zornitsa Ilarionova received awards in the last years, that’s why we will mention only three: Suna Kan – Ankara (second award), Manhattan – USA, which is held under the patronage of world-famous pianist Ivo Pogorelic (second award and silver medal), Johann Sebastian Bach – Fukuoka, Japan (laureate of the first award and award for best performance of a work of Debussi). This year Zornitsa was a soloist also of several symphonic orchestras in Turkey, of the Sofia Philharmonic and the Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble, Haskovo Chamber Orchestra, etc. In November in Gaveau Hall in Paris, at the invitation of French pianist Chantal Stigliani, the young Bulgarian violinist took part in a concert dedicated to the 20^th anniversary of the Association of Young Talents “Philomuses”.

“The Child-prodigy and the Titan” was the title of the concert with which the Sofia Philharmonic started its new creative season with guest conductor Sascha Goetzel. In a Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 9 by Mozart the soloist was 12-year-old Ivaylo Vassilev who is non-surprisingly called the “Young Mozart”. He has already included in his biography a number of international distinctions, including the first place at Shelkunchik (The Nutcracker) in Moscow. This award gave him the opportunity to conduct an independent recording project. The CD was recently released and features two piano concertos to the accompaniment of the State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Saint Petersburg conducted by Alexander Titov. And the six-grader from the Sofia-based National Music School “Lyubomir Pipkov” continues to earn the positive assessment of the audience and specialists.

Talking about the successes of young Bulgarian musicians, let us not forget those who in completely different times made their way to the world stages. Among them is violinist Petar Delchev who at the end of December turned 70. On this occasion his works were played on the air of the Bulgarian National Radio and WDR (Radio Cologne). His career started as a child-prodigy. At the age of 14 he became the undoubted winner of the Jaroslav Kocian Violin Competition in the Czech Republic, this was followed by dozens of concerts that the virtuoso player gave at Bulgarian and international stages. He is the only Bulgarian who has twice won awards at the Paganini Violin Competition in Genoa.  His career was comparatively short but he left numerous recordings at the Bulgarian National Radio, the Bulgarian National Television, and Radio Cologne where he worked in the radio orchestra. Unfortunately, the video recordings published on the internet are often with unsatisfactory quality. Nevertheless, his performances are fascinating.

Libiamo ne 'lieti calici (aka “The Drinking Song”) from Verdi's Traviata always carries a festive mood. It’s often called the joyous anthem of a new beginning, new hopes and dreams. We have selected a wonderful performance by students from the master class of Bulgarian opera diva Raina Kabaivanska. Some of the students singing in the 2011 recording are on the big stages today, and our great opera singer returned to Bulgaria in 2019 for yet another masterclass with young talents. We wish them success in the New Year and also to all Bulgarian artists and musicians, regardless of the generation they belong to!