The autumn cycle of AGBU Sofia Chamber Orchestra was opened on September 24^th noting several occasions: 25 years of Independence of Republic of Armenia,

110 years from establishing of the Armenian General Benevolent Union Parekordzagan and the 10^th anniversary of AGBU Sofia Chamber Orchestra. The occasion was held in the hall of the National Music Academy „Prof. Pancho Vladigerov“ and was supported by the Culture Department of Sofia Municipality. It was under the patronage of the Armenian Embassy and was attended personally by H.E. Mr. Armen Sargsyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia in the country.

The accent in the program was the Armenian music culture, presented by famous authors and also by the special guests – Yervant Margaryan – trumpet, Nara Arakelyan – piano, Vache Hovayan – viola. The „Bulgarian trace“ in the soloist group was Ventsislav Blagoev /trumpet/, a well-known virtuoso jazz musician. The program was selected with professionalism, synchronized with the festal occasions and graded from baroque through classical plays for the different instruments and reached its peak at the final with the jazz play „Smoke“ by J. Kerry.

Both trumpet players Ventsislav Blagoev and Yervant Margaryan showed their mastership not just like classical performers but also as magnificent improvisers and jazzmen. The fine presence of the pianist Nara Arakelyan impressed both as a part of the ensemble and as a solo player. Exceptional emotion and viola handling demonstrated Vache Hovayan. AGBU Sofia Chamber Orchestra, conducted by its Maestro Bedros Papazyan, put the final touches to the landscape of joy and spirit with their precise interpretations of styles and high professionalism. Festive occasions, wonderful music, great players – what a wonderful start of the autumn concert cycle of AGBU Sofia Chamber Orchestra,

And some more. The night before, on September 23, the guest musicians for Armenia, Yervand Margaryan (trumpet) and Nara Arakelyan (piano), had a wonderful jazz concert in Sofia city's Tea house. They, together with Ventzislav Blagoev – trumpet and his band rejoiced the audience with some of the most famous jazz pieces.

Photos provided by AGBU Sofia.

1,2 – concert in the National Music Academy „Prof. Pancho Vladigerov“

3,4 – jazz concert in Sofia city's Tea house