EUROPEAN MUSIC FESTIVAL 2018
Part of the 2018 Sofia Municipality Cultural Events Calendar

Grand Opening
MAXIM VENGEROV (violin)
Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: NAYDEN TODOROV
Coproduction of Sofia Philharmonic and Cantus Firmus

30 March 2018, 20:00 h.
National Palace of Culture, Hall No. 1

Program:
J. Brahms: Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77
J. Brahms: Symphony No. 1

Universally hailed as one of the world’s finest musicians, and often referred to as the greatest living string player in the world today, Grammy award winner Maxim Vengerov also enjoys international acclaim as a conductor and is one of the most in-demand soloists.
Born in 1974, he began his career as a solo violinist at the age of five, won the Wieniawski and Carl Flesch international competitions at ages 10 and 15 respectively, studied with Galina Tourchaninova and Zakhar Bron, made his first recording at the age of 10, and went on to record extensively for high-profile labels including Melodia, Teldec and EMI, earning among others, Grammy and Gramophone artist of the year awards.
The coming 17/18 season will see Mr Vengerov return to Carnegie Hall with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and premiere a new concerto at the Beijing Music Festival written for him by the renowned composer Qigang Chen before conducting Eugene Onegin in Brisbane and Moscow. He will also tour Europe, China and the US in recital.
As one of Mr Vengerov’s greatest passions is the teaching and encouraging of young talent, he has held various teaching positions around the world and is currently Ambassador and visiting Professor of the International Menuhin Music Academy in Switzerland (IMMA) and as of September 2016, the Polonsky Visiting Professor of Violin at the Royal College of Music in London.
In 1997 Mr Vengerov became the first classical musician to be appointed International Goodwill Ambassador by UNICEF.
He plays the ex-Kreutzer Stradivari (1727).