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

“Made in EU” wins another European film award

The film “Made in EU” by director Stefan Komandarev won the Audience Grand Prize at the 63rd Gijón International Film Festival in Spain. The film triumphed in competition with 95 titles, BTA has reported. “Within a few days, we..

published on 11/24/25 10:34 AM
Photo:  Facebook/ Young Wine Festival

“Young Wine Parade” in Old Plovdiv еnchants with аromas and the spirit of tradition

The seventeenth annual celebration of young wine in Plovdiv was officially opened on 21 November. The wine marathon, which will continue throughout the weekend, promises an unforgettable culinary and cultural journey through the authentic..

published on 11/22/25 6:10 AM

Days of Turkish Culture in Balchik

Days of Turkish Culture will be held on November 22 and 23 in the Palace Cultural Center in Balchik . The event under the motto "Destination: Turkiye" is being held with the participation of cultural institutions from the country...

published on 11/22/25 5:55 AM