Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Sofia Philharmonic receives standing ovation at the Musikverein

Photo: facebook/sofiaphilharmonic

The Sofia Philharmonic's concert in the ˮGolden Hallˮ of the Musikverein last night was completely sold-out. It was a huge success, the organizers of the event have announced. The two Bulgarian compositions in the programme have aroused particular interest.

Grotesque Symphony Suite “Bai Ganyu” by renouned XX century Bulgarian composer Veselin Stoyanov, was a true surprise for the Vienna audience.

It should be noted that the choice of “Bai Ganyu” was very apt. In 1941, Vesselin Stoyanov created his suite based on Aleko Konstantinov's work, selecting episodes related to the protagonist's trip to Vienna, to the place where the ill-mannered but cunning and combinative Bai Ganyu had set out to do business. The character's uncouth, at times rude and even arrogant behaviour finds its antithesis in the slow movement ˮIn the Villageˮ, which is a celebration of the positive, healthy side of the Bulgarians' value system.

Whether it was the plot or (more likely) Veselin Stoyanov's cheerful, vibrant music that impressed the sophisticated audience, again according to the organizers of the event, the concert by the Bulgarian Philharmonic and Maestro Naiden Todorov won them powerful applause, and after the concert, representatives of one of the leading record companies expressed a desire to record this work with the same orchestra and conductor.

In the audience were directors of several of the world's elite music agencies, as well as the former ambassadors of Italy and Austria to Sofia, the Director General of the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency Mr. Kiril Valchev, Austrian and Bulgarian music critics.
The concert ended with an encore, which the Philharmonic Orchestra performed after a long standing ovation - the brilliant ˮRachenitsaˮ from Petko Stainov's symphonic suite "Thrace", one of the brightest works in Bulgaria’s national musical treasury.

Editing: Albena Bezovska, Elena Karkalanova
English version: Elizabeth Radkova



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

''The Sleeping Beauty''

Principal dancer from South Korea to perform on the stage of the Stara Zagora State Opera

On March 8, Seojun Kim from South Korea, the winner of the first prize in the men's category at the 2024 International Ballet Competition "Sara-Nora Prima", will perform on the stage of the Stara Zagora  State Opera . He will play Prince Désiré..

published on 3/7/25 9:05 AM

Experimental play aimed to fight apathy in society to be shown in Sofia

The play “Systemic Error 2052” will be presented in Sofia on March 7 as the premiere will take place at I am Studio theatre. The play which aims to fight apathy and hate is inspired by the Forum Theater method of Brazilian director Augusto..

published on 3/7/25 5:05 AM
The author (centre) at the opening of the exhibition.

Exhibition "Imagination is My Blood Stream" celebrates artist Emil Stoychev's 90th birthday

In a bright and memorable exhibition titled "Imagination is My Blood Stream" at the Sofia City Art Gallery, artist Emil Stoychev presents his works to celebrate his 90th birthday. For the past 30 years, he has divided his time between Paris and Sofia,..

published on 3/5/25 8:25 AM