Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra

History

The orchestra was founded in 1948, with Vassil Stefanov serving as its first chief conductor and remaining affiliated from 1948 to 1988. Other conductors affiliated with the orchestra have included Vladimir Simeonov, Alexander Vladigerov, Vassil Kazandjiev, and Milen Nachev. Emil Tabakov has been chief conductor since 2008 and is scheduled to conclude his tenure in December 2015. In December 2015, the orchestra announced Rossen Gergov as its next chief conductor, effective January 2016. The orchestra maintains a full annual schedule, tours internationally, and has a large discography. Notable figures in building the orchestra include Vassil Stefanov, Vladimir Simeonov, Michail Angelov, Vassil Kazandjiev, Alexander Vladigerov, Milen Nachev, and Rossen Milanov. A central mission has been preserving, performing, and recording Bulgarian symphonic music, especially documenting works of leading Bulgarian composers. Major recording projects include the complete piano concertos of Pancho Vladigerov with pianist Ludmil Angelov under conductor Nayden Todorov. The orchestra has recorded works by Marin Goleminov, Lyubomir Pipkov, Krasimir Kyurkchiyski, Emil Tabakov, Georgi Minchev, and others. Recordings of Emil Tabakov's symphonies have been released internationally by Toccata Classics. Other international releases have appeared on Naxos, Balkanton, Gega New, and other European labels.