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Ensemble

 

The New Symphony Orchestra Sofia is a classical music ensemble based in Sofia, Bulgaria. Founded in 1991, the orchestra has become one of the most prominent musical institutions in the country, known for its high-quality performances and innovative programming. The orchestra was founded by conductor Rossen Milanov, who served as its music director until 2000. Milanov, who was born in Bulgaria and trained in the United States, had a vision of creating a world-class orchestra in his home country. He assembled a group of talented musicians, many of whom had studied abroad, and began rehearsing in a small hall in Sofia. The orchestra's early years were marked by a series of successful performances, both in Bulgaria and abroad. In 1992, the orchestra made its international debut at the Istanbul Festival in Turkey, where it received critical acclaim for its performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The following year, the orchestra performed at the prestigious Salzburg Festival in Austria, where it was praised for its interpretation of Mozart's Requiem. In 1994, Milanov was succeeded as music director by Nayden Todorov, a Bulgarian conductor who had previously served as the assistant conductor of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. Under Todorov's leadership, the orchestra continued to grow and develop, expanding its repertoire and collaborating with a wide range of soloists and guest conductors. One of the orchestra's most notable collaborations was with the renowned Bulgarian pianist Alexis Weissenberg, who performed with the orchestra in 1996. Weissenberg, who had not performed in Bulgaria for many years, was impressed by the orchestra's professionalism and musicality, and praised Todorov for his leadership. Over the years, the orchestra has performed a wide range of repertoire, from classical works by Mozart and Beethoven to contemporary pieces by living composers. It has also commissioned new works by Bulgarian composers, including Krassimir Taskov and Georgi Arnaoudov. In addition to its regular concert series in Sofia, the orchestra has performed at a number of international festivals and venues, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Royal Festival Hall in London, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. It has also collaborated with a number of prominent soloists, including violinist Midori, pianist Nikolai Demidenko, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The orchestra has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, including the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture's "Golden Lyre" award in 1995 and the "Crystal Lyre" award in 2001. It has also been praised by critics for its recordings, which include works by Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and Shostakovich. Despite its many achievements, the orchestra has faced a number of challenges over the years, including financial difficulties and a lack of government support. In recent years, however, it has continued to thrive under the leadership of Todorov and its dedicated musicians, who remain committed to bringing the highest quality classical music to audiences in Bulgaria and beyond.

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