Pleven Philharmonic brings Bulgarian pop classics to the concert stage

Some of the best-loved songs by Bulgarian composers Krassimir Gyulmezov and Svetoslav Loboshki will be heard in new symphonic arrangements with the Pleven Philharmonic. On June 17 at 7 p.m., the "Rila-1898" community centre in Dolna Banya will host the concert "Za Tebe Byah Dihanie…", named after two popular songs by the composers. The project is the brainchild of the orchestra's concertmaster, Chavdar Valkov.

The title combines the names of "Za Tebe Byah" by Krassimir Gyulmezov, made famous by Lili Ivanova, and "Dihanie" by Svetoslav Loboshki, best known in the rendition of Orlin Goranov.

Appearing on stage alongside the two composers will be Duo Chic, the instrumental ensemble The Classics – Chavdar Valkov on violin, Georgi Tsvetkov on bass guitar and Dimitar Mitev-Dundee on drums – together with a string sextet from the Pleven Philharmonic.

The programme features new arrangements by Georgi Tsvetkov of some of the most popular songs by Gyulmezov and Loboshki. In many of them, the melody passes naturally from the voice to the violin, while video projections add another dimension to the performance.

"The idea was for the concert to be predominantly instrumental, but Duo Chic has become an integral part of the project, and both composers also sing. After all, audiences want to hear the familiar lyrics of these popular songs," Chavdar Valkov says.

The programme also includes Vivaldi's "Summer" from The Four Seasons and the global hit "Viva la Vida" by British rock band Coldplay, with the Pleven Philharmonic's concertmaster again appearing as soloist.

Following the concert in Dolna Banya, the Pleven Philharmonic's national tour "Za Tebe Byah Dihanie…" will continue with performances in Petrich on September 1, Gotse Delchev on September 2 and other towns across Bulgaria.

Editor: E. Karkalanova