On June 26, Bulgaria’s award-winning pianist Plamena Mangova marks an important anniversary − three decades on stage. Although she has been living in Belgium for a long time, the famous pianist does not miss any opportunity to meet the Bulgarian audience. She shares that the idea for the concert came from Momchil Georgiev, until recently a program manager, and since 2021 the director of the Sofia Music Weeks International Festival.

"I am very happy to have received this invitation," says Plamena. “Bulgaria Hall is one of my favorite halls - both in terms of acoustics and in terms of atmosphere. Around the same date, but 30 years ago, I entered an international competition for the first time and won first prize. The competition was held in Stresa, Italy. I accept this moment as the beginning of my stage performances, as I have been presenting the face of Bulgaria to the world ever since. I dedicate the upcoming concert in Sofia to my professor, the genius pedagogue Dmitri Bashkirov, who died in March this year and who has given me so much."

Plamena has been on stage since an early age. She has given hundreds of concerts - solo and chamber recitals, has been a soloist in large orchestras under the baton of leading names in classical music, she has won awards at some of the most difficult piano competitions. It is impossible to "give an account" of these three decades in a few words. And yet - who are the personalities and victories that have left the brightest mark in her musical path?

"Of course, in the first place are the years of training, starting with the Panayot Pipkov Music School in Pleven, which has given so many wonderful musicians to Bulgaria and the world - famous soloists and concertmasters. I also owe a huge expression of gratitude to Prof. Marina Kapatsinskaya, who did wonders for me as a pianist and musician. When I was 14 years old, she introduced me to the great Bashkirov and then accompanied me every summer to his master classes at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. What followed was the golden age when I was his student at the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid. He was a man of legend, a guiding light for all - not just his students. He also left really phenomenal recordings. Among the important moments in my development are also two competitions - Paloma O'Shea Santander International Piano Competition / Paloma O'Shea Santander Concurso International Piano, where (only 18 years old), in competition with 30-year-old pianists, I won the third prize. The other very important victory for me is the second place in the Queen Elisabeth Competition. I don't think I need to remind you that this is probably the most difficult competition at the moment, with very heavy requirements for candidates."

What works will be performed at the concert in Sofia?

"Starting with plays by Ferenc Liszt, right in the "heart" of the programme I will perform an incredible play by Albena Petrovic-Vratchanska. Before the pandemic (in Luxembourg) we recorded a whole CD with her original music. I think that anyone who loves the different, the original, will like her work. There will also be works by Ravel, Manuel de Falla, Albéniz and others. In other words, the programme has a strong emphasis on Iberian music.”

Among Plamena's nearest future engagements are a master class and concerts in Malaga, Spain. Then - a concert with the orchestra of the Opera of Marseille, conducted by Lawrence Foster, at the prestigious Festival International de Piano de la Roque d'Anthéron. As well as a recital in Corsica – the Basque Country, where she will also perform works by Albena Petrovich-Vratchanska, there will also be a concert in Portugal. But the most important event is in the coming autumn.

"My new CD, Secret Letters, will be released in November, with music by Robert Schumann, Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms. I will present it at the legendary salle Gaveau in Paris. Let me note in brackets that this hall is connected with Dmitri Bashkirov. It was there, in 1955, that Marguerite Long personally presented him with the grand prize of the competition in her name, and thus began her brilliant worldwide career. I have played in other famous halls in Paris, but I will be on this stage for the first time. I have been told that, in terms of acoustics, salle Gaveau is the most enchanting recital hall. Then I have engagements with the Basel Symphony Orchestra, for the first time I will visit Turku, Finland, and I expect my return to the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. I only hope that everything will be fine and our wonderful plans will come true."

Written by Albena Bezovska

English Rositsa Petkova