Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Sofia hosts 14th International Competition Young Virtuosos 2018

The International Competition Young Virtuosos 2018 was unveiled on April 15 with a concert of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nayden Todorov. Sofia Mehonoshina is the soloist of the programme. The young clarinetist has just turned fourteen. However, she has already won a series of awards at international music competitions in Russia, Austria, Italy and Spain. In 2017 Sofia received the special award of the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra – to play with that orchestra at this year’s opening concert.

Sofia MehonoshinaThe International Competition Young Virtuosos for young musicians and composers was established in 2004 on occasion of the 100th anniversary since the foundation of the National School of Music Lyubomir Pipkov. Since 2013 it has been part of the European Union of Music Competitions for Youth – EMCY. Musicians from Austria, Italy, Russia, the USA, Japan, South Korea, Bulgaria and other countries are taking part at this year’s edition of the competition. They will compete in two categories – chamber music and composition. The competition for ensemble music will be held atCity Mark Art Center. It starts on April 16 and the grand awards ceremony and the laureates’ gala will be held on April 22. Young instrumentalists whoare expected to shape the future of world music gather again in Sofia. “The competition will be serious. All children are true virtuosos and we believe that the best ones will receive awards”, the founder and artistic director of the forum Milka Miteva told Radio Bulgaria. Acclaimed musicians were invited to become members of the jury. The chamber formations will be assessed byProf. Dora Schwarzberg (Austria), Prof. Leonid Kerbel (Belgium/ Ukraine), Professor Dimo Dimov (Bulgaria), Prof. Romain Garioud (France) and Prof. Giuliano Mazzoccante (Italy).

The names of the Jury members of the International Composers Competition will be announced in October when the competition for young composers will be held. Some of the categories bear the names of celebrated Bulgarian musicians and music pedagogues – Professor Lyuba Encheva (piano), Professor Sava Dimitrov (clarinet), Professor Kiril-Karel Stari (waldhorn), Professor Dobri Paliev (percussions) and Professor Georgi Badev (violin). In 2018 the International Composers Competition will be named after the renowned Bulgarian composer Academician Marin Goleminov.

TheInternational Competition Young Virtuosos is organized in partnership with the National School of Music Lyubomir Pipkov and is part of the cultural events’ calendar of the Sofia Municipality in 2018. The prize fund is EUR 11,125 and is provided by the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture. Three awards are presented in each age category. A series of special awards will be also presented at the competition.

All fans of classical music can attend the competition days, the Laureates Gala and the Grand Awards Ceremony free of charge.

English version:Kostadin Atanasov




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

Rumiana Kotseva

The messages of world-famous Christmas songs reach the hearts of Bulgarians the fastest in Bulgarian

Christmas is a very special holiday for Bulgarian pop singer Rumiana Kotseva . For years in a row, she gathers her family and friends in her home - cherished moments that warm her days until next Christmas. This year, the pop singer gave an emotional..

published on 12/24/24 7:15 PM

A "Christmas Miracle" is here to hear

One of the latest releases is "Christmas Miracle" , performed by young singers Stefani Ilieva and Stoycho Stoychev, aka STOYCHOS. "With this duet we hope to reach people's hearts, so that everyone can identify with our message, get a feeling of..

published on 12/23/24 2:00 PM

Johann Strauss Ensemble from Austria brings Vienna Magic to Veliko Tarnovo

The Johann Strauss Ensemble from Austria, with conductor Russell McGregor, will give a Christmas concert Vienna Magic at the Vasil Levski palace of culture and sports in Veliko Tarnovo tonight. The concert will feature special guest stars..

published on 12/21/24 7:15 AM