Vivi Vasileva and Nayden Todorov

The Sofia Philharmonic presents an evening where rhythm becomes the main character. On March 19, 2026, at 19:00, the Bulgaria Hall will be the stage for a powerful dialogue between percussion instruments and the orchestra, between ancient legends and modern vibrations.

The conductor for the evening is Maestro Nayden Todorov - a conductor known for his vivid, nuanced interpretations, capable of blending tradition and innovation.

Shining on stage will be Vivi Vasileva — the virtuosic Bulgarian percussionist who takes the listener beyond the boundaries of traditional perceptions of percussion instruments. Described as an artist who "excites the audience by exploring and pushing the boundaries of the percussion world," she combines technical perfection with exceptional virtuosity and fresh creativity, transforming percussion into an instrument of the 21st century.

For the Sofia audience, Vivi will present "Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra" by Danny Elfman. This concert, described by critics as a percussion symphonic revolution and a remarkable impulse from one of the most recognizable creators in film music towards pure "creation" outside the film world, serves as a philosophical dialogue between tradition and improvisation — cultures and rhythms that clash, blend, and embrace. With this, Elfman pays homage to percussion — his first love since his youth, when he studied African balafons and Indonesian gamelan ensembles.

The second part of the evening is dedicated to the eternal beauty of the Symphonic Suite "Scheherazade" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov — a musical tale in which the orchestra paints pictures filled with passion, exoticism, and poetic depth.

This concert is a meeting of generations, styles, and hearts — from the rhythm of the percussion to the epic prose of the Russian symphonic tradition.