QSL No. 9: 1948-1960 - Bulgarian National Radio’s music groups

Throughout 2026, Radio Bulgaria is confirming listeners' reception reports with a new series of 12 QSL cards. Each card highlights a significant moment from the history of the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) and Radio Bulgaria, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. At the beginning of each month, we present the story behind the image featured on the latest card.

The Ninth QSL card of 2026 is dedicated to BNR’s music groups

From its very beginnings, the Bulgarian National Radio has attracted the country’s leading musical talent, paving the way for extensive recording and concert activities. Today, the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) has six musical ensembles.

The history of the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra (the first photo in the top row), founded in 1948, is marked by the names of distinguished professionals such as conductors Vasil Stefanov, Vasil Kazandzhiev, Alexander Vladigerov, Milen Nachev, Rosen Milanov and Emil Tabakov. The BNR Symphony Orchestra has toured extensively around the world, performed concerts in numerous countries, and made recordings for renowned international companies. Konstantin Ilievsky has been its chief conductor since 2023.

The main activity of the Bulgarian National Radio Big Band (the second photo in the top row), formed in 1960, is making recordings for the radio’s music archive. For many years, it was led by Vili Kazasyan. Under his leadership, the orchestra developed an extensive concert program and took part in numerous Bulgarian and international events. Today, the BNR Big Band is led by Antoni Donchev.

The Bulgarian National Radio Folk Orchestra (the third photo in the top row), founded in 1952 as part of what was then the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Song Ensemble, brings together some of the most renowned musicians in the genre. The BNR archive holds thousands of recordings of folk songs and instrumental melodies performed by the BNR Folk Orchestra.

The orchestra’s soloists have included many of Bulgaria’s best-known folk performers, such as Yanka Roupkina, Nadka Karadzhova, Kalinka Valcheva, and many others.

Today, the orchestra continues its long-standing tradition of preserving and promoting Bulgarian folklore under the direction of Dimitar Hristov.

The Bulgarian National Radio Mixed Choir (the third photo in the second row) has been in existence since 1952. The professional ensemble has a long-standing tradition of performing operatic and cantata-oratorio works. Its current conductor is Lyubomira Aleksandrova.

The Bulgarian National Radio Children’s Choir (the middle photo in the bottom row) was established in 1960 by Academician Hristo Nedyalkov. Following his death, Venetsia Karamanova took over as conductor of the vocal ensemble. The Bulgarian National Radio Children’s Choir has won numerous awards in Bulgaria and abroad and has given hundreds of concerts both in the country and around the world. It is particularly popular in Japan.

The Radiokids Vocal Group (the first photo in the bottom row) is the youngest and most cheerful addition to the BNR family of musical ensembles. It was founded in 1990 at the initiative of its longtime conductor, Ilina Todorova, with the aim of recording children’s entertainment songs for BNR’s programs and music archive. Today, the talented girls and boys, aged between 6 and 13, perform under the direction of Olga Mentzel.

The talent of BNR’s musical ensembles shines brightest in their joint projects. One example is the folk song “Prituri se Planinata”, performed by the Bulgarian National Radio Children’s Choir, the Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Bulgarian National Radio Folk Orchestra

How to Receive the QSL Card

To receive this QSL card, simply send us a reception report including:

For Radio Bulgaria: the date and language of the programme you listened to.
For other BNR programmes: the date, time, frequency, and details about the programme content.
Reception reports may be submitted via:

E-mail: reception.report@bnr.bg

Post:
Bulgarian National Radio
Desislava Semkovska
4 Dragan Tsankov Blvd.
1040 Sofia
Bulgaria

Please remember to include your postal mailing address, as QSL cards are sent by regular mail.

We would also like to remind our listeners that BNR continues to confirm reception reports with QSL cards from previous series. If you would like to receive a particular earlier card, please mention your preference in your reception report.