On the Day of the Bulgarian National Revival Leaders, November 1, the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers and Classic FM Radio bestowed the annual Crystal Lyre awards for great achievements in the music and dance field. Awards are bestowed in 17 different categories: conductorship, orchestra music, chamber ensembles, ballet, jazz music, pop music, etc. This was the 20th jubilee edition of Crystal Lyre awards. The solemn ceremony was held at the building of the Stefan Makedonski State Music Theatre under the auspices of Sofia Mayor Yordanka Fandakova and the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture. This year's awards went to the conductor of the Ruse Opera House maestro Nayden Todorov, to the Pop and Rock Music Foundation, to Professors Stoyka Milanova and Luydmil Angelov (chamber ensemble category), to Kamelia Todorova (jazz) and many other Bulgarian musicians and authors.

Composer Professor Viktor Chuchkov received the special award of the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture for lifetime achievement. Here is what Professor Chuchkov told Radio Bulgaria about his award:

“I was very excited when I received that award. I learned about it only several hours before the official ceremony. The award is bestowed by the Ministry of Culture and by the Bulgarian musicians. The feeling to be appreciated is always touching. However, an artist or a composer who makes a lot of efforts in his career and hold a series of concerts should not be influenced by awards. They are merely a stimulus to us.”

The conductor of the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Music Orchestra BNR Dimitar Hristov received a Crystal Lyre for the series of concerts with soloists, instrumentalists and musicians from Balkan countries in season 2015-2016. Maestro Hristov told details about that award:

“The feeling to receive such award is incredible. Many years ago when the chief art director of Pirin Ensemble Professor Kiril Stefanov received that award I told myself: What kind of person one has to be and how hard one has to work, in order to receive such a prestigious music award? Well, I am very happy that I have already received that award. It is recognition of the efforts of the whole Folk Music Orchestra of the Bulgarian National Radio. The award is also for my colleagues and the people who worked under the Rhythm of theBalkans project, which became one of the most successful music projects.”

Young and talented Bulgarian singer Denko Prodanov deservedly received his second Crystal Lyre. Denko is a soloist at Stefan Makedonski Music Theater:

“I can't realize what has happened yet. I feel very excited and would like to thank the Music Theater for my nomination. I would also like to thank the Union of Bulgarian Musicians and Dancers and Classic FM Radio for my second Crystal Lyre. This time I was awarded in the Opera and Operetta category. My first Crystal Lyre was in the Young Musician category.”

English version: Kostadin Atanasov

Audio contains the following pieces:

.  Romantic story for piano and orchestra by Victor Chuchkov, perf. by BNR Symphony Orchestra, soloist - Prof. Chuchkov

.   Arap by Dimitar Hristov, perf. by BNR Folk Orchestra, conducted by D. Hristov