First Bulgarian Choir "Yanko Moustakov"

The first Bulgarian choir was founded in Svishtov in 1868 by Yanko Moustakov – a teacher, a (harmonically) talented musician and (public figure) a person, who had a great influence over society at that time. In 1934 the choir adopted the name “National Choir Yanko Moustakov” as a tribute to the personality and outstanding contribution to national culture of its founder. It is The Winner of two fir

st and three second awards in competitions in Polheim – Germany (1988) and Cantonigros – Spain (1990). The choir has been invited to deliver concerts in Hungary, Poland, Ukraine, Greece, Germany, Italy, Spain, Turkey. It has participated in two issues of the Festivals of Choral Orthodox music in Volos – Greece (2000 and 2002); The Fests of Sacred music – Gabrovo, Bulgaria (2004); The First International Choir Festival Belgrade, Serbia (2005); The First Balkan Choir Festival – Svishtov (2006); and The Fourth Choir Festival “Mikis Theodorakis” – Nafpaktos, Greece (2007). The repertoire of Yanko Moustakov Choir includes a great number of acappella songs of all styles and periods, as well as compositions of the cantata-oratorio genre. The works of Bulgarian authors have always taken a central place in this repertoire. Recently the First Bulgarian Choir enriches its programme with blues and jazz works; produces concerts together with jazz pianist Vladimir Radulov; and Dixie Band “Teteven”; has taken part in two “Bluezz-fest” editions. The choir has carried out radio and TV productions with the Bulgarian National Radio and under the patronage of the Bulgarian National Television. It has been awarded with the highest Bulgarian distinction in the cultural sphere – The Order of “Cyril and Methodius” – First class. Since its foundation the choir has been developing under the management of a pleiad of talented conductors: Yanko Moustakov, Yanko Chakalov, Slavy Draganov, Ivan Lozanov, Nikola Ivanov, Lyubomir Pavlov, Todor Kabakchiev. From 1980 Professor Vassil Arnaudov became a consultant of the choir and till the end of his life the First Bulgarian Choir is artistically and spiritually related to him. During this period Svishtov’s choir achieves its highest level and distinctions. From 1992 till 2005 the main artistic manager of the Yanko Moustakov choir has been Georgi Deliganev – a distinguished Bulgarian choral specialist and a consultant of long standing of the choir. Since 1998 Elisabeth Lyudmilova has taken over the post of a conductor. Since 1982 the Choir has been the host of many National Choir Festivalls under the name Yanko Moustakov. With their twelvth issue in 2008 Yanko Moustakov Choir celebrates its 140th anniversary.