April 03, 2025 /Thursday/
18.30 hours Hall “M-ro G.Atanasov
Conductor: Nikolay Hilendarski
Soloist: Emil Gunev – double bass
Program:
Nino Rota – Divertimento for double bass and orchestra
J. Brahms – Symphony No. 2, D major, op.73
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Nikolay Hilendarski
Nikolay Hilendarski was born in 2001 in Varna, Bulgaria. He began studying piano at the age of six and was later accepted into the National School of Arts “Dobri Hristov” in Varna, where he studied piano under Eli Chorbadzhiyska and Elena Nedeva. In the 8th grade, he switched his focus to double bass, studying with Neli Decheva, and continued to develop under the guidance of Prof. Tsvetomir Lazarov. Since 2020, Nikolay has been a student at the National Music Academy “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia, pursuing a degree in Conducting at the Faculty of Theory in the class of Prof. Dr. Grigor Palikarov. He is a laureate of the 26th National Competition for Young Instrumentalists and Singers “Svetoslav Obretenov” in Provadia. Nikolay has performed in numerous opera productions and symphonic concerts with the orchestra of the Varna State Opera, as well as in programs of the Varna Summer International Music Festival. As a pianist, he has participated in concerts organized by the National Music Academy “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” and the 19th European Music Festival. As a conductor, he has led the Varna Opera Orchestra, Sofia Symphonietta, the Academic Symphony Orchestra of the National Music Academy, Shumen Symphony Orchestra, and the Gabrovo Chamber Orchestra. His concert repertoire includes symphonies by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Schumann, as well as works by Vivaldi, Stamitz, Rossini, Bottesini, Shostakovich, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Strauss, Britten, Bizet, and Lyubomir Pipkov.
Emil Petrov Gunev
Emil Petrov Gunev was born on November 7, 2001, in Varna, Bulgaria. He began his musical education at the age of five, studying piano under Snejana Dimova and Zhenya Belomazheva. He graduated with honors from the National School of Arts “Dobri Hristov” in Varna in 2020, in the double bass class of Neli Decheva. In 2018, Emil won First Prize at the National Competition for Young Instrumentalists and Singers “Svetoslav Obretenov.” He also received First Prizes at the National Bass Festival in Sofia (2019) and the “Magic” National Competition in Burgas (2021). Emil is currently a fourth-year student at the National Music Academy “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia, studying double bass under Prof. Dr. Petya Bagovska. In 2023, he continued his education in Rome, Italy, in the double bass class of Prof. Daniele Roccato. He has performed in a concert with Andrea Bocelli in Inverness, Scotland, and has collaborated in chamber performances in Varna alongside Ludmil Angelov’s quintet. From 2022 to 2023, he was a member of Libertango – Bulgaria’s first tango orchestra. As a soloist, Emil has appeared with the Student String Orchestra (2020) and the Academy Symphony Orchestra of the National Music Academy (2023).
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April 17, 2025 /Thursday/
18.30 hours Hall “M-ro G.Atanasov
Conductor: Francisco Javier Juan
Soloist: Plamena Pavlova – Violа
Program:
W. A. Mozart – Adagio and Fugue for String Orchestra, C minor, K 546
F. Hofmeister – Concerto for Viola and Orchestra, D major
W. A. Mozart – Symphony No. 40, G minor, K 550
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Plamena Pavlova
Plamena Pavlova was born in Varna, Bulgaria, on May 20, 2004. She graduated from the National School of Arts “Dobri Hristov” in Varna, where she studied under Rumyana Petrova. Currently, she is pursuing her higher education at the National Music Academy “Pancho Vladigerov” in Sofia, under the tutelage of Prof. Ognyan Konstantinov.
Plamena has distinguished herself in numerous national competitions, earning prestigious awards such as:
- First Prize – “Varban Varbanov” Competition, Burgas (2022)
- First Prize – “Svetoslav Obretenov” Competition, Provadia (2022)
- First Prize – “Hopes, Talents, Masters”, Dobrich (2022)
- Second Prize – “Dobrin Petkov” Competition, Plovdiv (2023)
- Second Prize – National Competition for Young Instrumentalists “Cantus Firmus” (2024)
She is also a recipient of the Rotary Club Award.
As a soloist, Plamena has performed with the Varna Philharmonic Orchestra (2022, 2023), the Shumen Symphony Orchestra (2022), and the Academic Symphony Orchestra (2024). She has served as principal violist at the Rosa Academy (2022, 2023) and Fame’s Institute (2024).
Plamena has further developed her artistry through masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Dimitar Burov, Rumen Tzvetkov, Ognyan Konstantinov, and Simeon Kirkov.