13 march 2024 We Celebrate 125 Years Since The Birth Of Pancho Vladigerov

On this day - March 13, 1899, 125 years ago, the great Bulgarian composer, considered a modern classic - Prof. Pancho Vladigerov was born.
On this occasion, we publish a recording of the performance of the famous Bulgarian Rhapsody "Vardar" performed by the orchestra of the State Opera - Burgas, conducted by maestro Yordan Dafov.

The video is from the Christmas concert of the Burgas Opera - on December 21, 2023, in the hall of the Burgas Cultural Institute. The Burgas Opera, under the conductorship of Maestro Dafov, had the privilege and honor of being the first to celebrate the anniversary - before the event itself. That is why the famous conductor chose to perform Vladiger's emblematic work - the rhapsody "Vardar", which is the bearer of the best of the national musical traditions. In the rhapsody "Vardar" motifs from Bulgarian folk music are interwoven with a remarkable artistic power with the feeling of ancestral memory and reverence for the beauty of the Motherland.
Pancho Vladigerov was born in Zurich. He spent his childhood in Shumen. He showed musical aptitude early — his first concert performance was at the age of 7, and at the age of 10 he made his first attempts at composition. In 1912, Pancho and his twin brother Luben received a state scholarship to study abroad. They left for Berlin with their mother, Dr. Eliza Pasternak. There he wrote his first significant works. His gift was highly appreciated and in 1918 and 1920 he was twice awarded the prestigious Mendelssohn Prize of the Berlin Academy.
Until 1932, he lived and worked in Germany, and far from his homeland he created vivid folk works, which, with their qualities, sonority, and modern expressiveness, attracted the attention of the European musical public. "Vardar" Rhapsody, "Bulgarian Suite", First Violin Concerto, Second Piano Concerto, Scandinavian Suite, etc. are performed on world concert podiums. He also showed his talent in the field of theater music, as a composer and music director at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin. After his final return to Bulgaria, he enriched his genre work with works such as the opera "Tsar Kaloyan", the ballet "Legend of the Lake", First String Quartet, First Symphony, etc.
Pancho Vladigerov develops an active concert activity in several European cities. In the period from 1936 to 1942, Vladigerov was the representative for Bulgaria in the Permanent Council for International Cooperation of Composers. He was a delegate to the World Peace Congress in 1949, and a member of the jury of prestigious international competitions.
In 1968, Pancho Vladigerov received the prestigious "Gottfried von Herder" award from the University of Vienna for his contribution to the European cultural heritage.
He devoted decades to active teaching as a professor of composition and piano at the Music Academy in Sofia. Raised a whole generation of young composers. In recognition of his huge role in the development of Bulgarian musical culture, Pancho Vladigerov was awarded all the highest state awards.
Pancho Vladigerov was created fully until the end of his life. He died on September 8, 1978 in Sofia.
On October 21, 2013, a strait in Antarctica was named in memory of maestro Pancho Vladigerov. Vladiger Strait is located between the islands of Lavoisier and Krog in the Biscoe Archipelago. Its length is about 6 kilometers. In the narrowest part of the strait, there is also a small island, which also bears the name of Vladigerov, with an area of about 750 square meters.
"Always inspired, always sure of what he writes, firmly planted on the ground he loves and sings most enthusiastically, Vladigerov turns everything he touches into music," says the poet Nikolai Liliev about the great musician, composer and teacher.
/Source - https://vladigerov.org/za-pancho-vladigerov/biografiya/

The National School for Music and Performing Arts in Burgas is named after Prof. Pancho Vladigerov and today celebrates its 63rd anniversary. Happy holiday!

On the occasion of the anniversary, the professors and graduates of NUMSI "Prof. Pancho Vladigerov" Burgas have prepared a festive concert - today, at 7 pm in the hall of the Burgas State Opera.

Video: State Opera - Burgas