Founded in 1928, the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra has long established itself as one of the leading institutions in Bulgaria’s musical life. Throughout its 90-year creative history it been associated with eminent musicians such as Sasha Popov, Konstantin Iliev, Dobrin Petkov, Vassil Stefanov and Vassil Kazandjiev, among others. The orchestra has also collaborated with conductors Kurt Masur, Neville Marriner, Valery Gergiev, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Karl Österreicher and Charles Dutoit, and soloists such as José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, Dmitry Shostakovich, David Oistrakh, Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels, Mstislav Rostropovich, Yuri Bashmet, Angela Gheorghiu, Diana Damrau and Joshua Bell.
The orchestra has a vast repertoire, and has given the premiere performances of dozens of Bulgarian works. Having started touring regularly in 1939, the Sofia Philharmonic has a strong international reputation, appearing in prestigious venues across Europe, Asia and America. The orchestra has released albums on the Naxos, Supraphon and Capriccio labels, and has also featured on radio in Paris, Berlin, Moscow and Munich, and Bulgarian National Radio and Television
The orchestra is the recipient of a number of prestigious awards including Bulgarian National Radio Musician of the Year (Nayden Todorov, 2002), the Golden Lyre and Crystal Lyre awarded by the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers and Classic FM Radio, the Honorary Sign of Sofia and the Honorary Sign of the President of Bulgaria.
www.sofiaphilharmonic.com
Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus
Photo: Vasilka Balevska