70 years ago on November 1, composer and conductor Svetoslav Obretenov created the first Bulgarian professional choir. Initially called State Radio Choir, in 1954 it was renamed the Bulgarian Choir Chapel. The choir gained world fame under the leadership of conductor Georgi Robev. An interview with the conductor is kept in the Golden Fund of the BNR.
"Conductor Krum Boyadzhiev is the one who worked the longest with Obretenov. In 1955 conductor became Dimitar Ruskov. He took a rich heritage - as valuable as it is binding. He managed to develop it by enriching the repertoire and expanding recording and touring activities. For '10 years he was able to add about 600 songs to the repertoire and continued to work in the sphere of oratorio music, which was a goal of Svetoslav Obretenov himself. Masterpieces such as the Alexander Nevsky cantata by Prokofiev, Carmina Burana cantata by Carl Orff; 9-th Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven were performed. Another conductor who left a bright trace in the history of the choir is Vasil Arnaudov. For 2 years under his leadership a number of concerts took place, including one in the Bulgaria Hall during which the "Catulli Carmina” cantata by Carl Orff was performed. Vasil Arnaudov included a number of contemporary works in the repertoire.
In 1981 the choir joined the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra; performing the best examples of a cappella choir classics and playing the role of a school for a number of successful conductors. The choir has had concerts in Europe, America, and Asia. The choir has constant presence in major European festivals such as Prague Spring, Bratislava Music Days, Brno Music Festival, Dresden Music Festival, and others. Here is what conductor Lubomir Mitropolitski said about the tours:
"It is a fact that thanks to this choir a number of people around the world learned about Bulgaria. Despite the obstacles we encountered sometimes the choir was always happy that wherever we went, we managed to show the humanism of art and help people come together.”
Evidence for the high artistic achievements of the choir gives Dmitri Shostakovich: "I was greatly impressed by the art of the choir. This is a wonderful choir that presents its music with unusual purity. I think this is a sign of the great choral culture that exists in Bulgaria. "
Nowadays the choir is called Svetoslav Obretenov National Philharmonic Choir. The current 86th season of the Sofia Philharmonic will focus on the choir that celebrates its 70th anniversary.
English: Alexander Markov
Baroque music concert with works by rarely performed composers will be presented by Musica Antica – Sofia ensemble and soprano Girgina Girginova in the Bulgarian Cultural Center in Sofia. Along with European Baroque, the audience..
Young singer Todor Gadjalov presents his new original song "Locked Door". It is inspired by the struggle of every person with their own obstacles and challenges. "This is a story about the way up – difficult, but full of hope. The song is about..
Mary Boys Band keep their promise to drink the summer to the last drop with their new song "Wake Me Up When May Comes". Staying true to themselves, on the eve of winter, the musicians immerse us in warm emotions, typical of all their songs from the..
The life of Virginia Sabeva-GINI is music. As a child, she sang in a choir. Then she studied in a music school, participated in the musical competition..
Mostly Cloudy
Cloudy