Exhibition “METROrhythmic Reflections”

On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of its patron's birth, Pancho Vladigerov House Museum - Sofia is participating in the New Year's Music Festival at the National Palace of Culture with the exhibition “METROrhythmic Reflections”. Festival enthusiasts will be able to learn and enjoy themselves by viewing the exhibition panels inspired by iconic quotes spoken by or about Vladigerov. In this interactive way, the team of Pancho Vladigerov House Museum reminds us of the composer's vibrant presence and unique sense of humor, as well as his lasting impact and influence on Bulgarian music culture.

The exhibition was shown for the first time from March 4th to 17th this year in the Sofia Metro in partnership with the Municipality of Sofia and was inspired by the eponymous musical game. It was created as one of the projects funded by the Ministry of Culture on the occasion of Vladigerov's anniversary. The five visual panels became part of the metro network and were seen by over 500,000 people using key metro lines in the capital. Some of them participated in the game “METROrhythmic Reflections” by scanning QR codes from the panels leading to additional information about events and works by Vladigerov, available on the cultural institute's website: https://vladigerov.org/. Interest was high and led many visitors to the museum.

Here is information about each panel.

Panel #1: "Until now I was international, now I have become national."

In 1946, with Decree No. 2 of the Presidium of the National Assembly of the People's Republic of Bulgaria, Pancho Vladigerov was awarded the title of “People's Artist” (the first recipient being Krastyo Sarafov). Until then, Vladigerov had already been internationally recognized, a two-time winner of the Mendelssohn Prize at the Berlin University of Music, and the sole representative of Bulgaria in the Permanent Council for International Composer Cooperation from 1936 to 1942 – then chaired by Richard Strauss. Vladigerov's music was performed on the biggest European stages, and as early as 1925, Rhapsody "Vardar" was played at Carnegie Hall (New York). After receiving the title, the composer jokingly declared: "Until now I was international, now I have become national!"

Panel #2: "I had the fortune to fall into the hands of a great teacher."

Vladigerov with world-renowned pianist Alexis Weissenberg – one of his first students. He continued his studies abroad, and during World War II, he left Bulgaria, traveled the world, and developed his talent to the highest achievements. For his first teacher, Weissenberg always showed deep respect and affection – evident in his words: "The foundation of playing for me can be said to be 'Vladigerovian'. Pancho Vladigerov is my teacher, to whom I owe everything – please note – everything…" “METROrhythmic Reflections” is realized with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Sofia.

Panel #3: "And everyone came to him like to a pope."

“Yakuvitsa’s House” has always been an attractive center for all prominent musicians and artists of the 20th century who visited Bulgaria for concert events and other public appearances. They sought out meetings with Vladigerov – most often in his cozy and welcoming home (now Pancho Vladigerov House Museum - Sofia). Precisely because of the frequent visits of emblematic figures of world music culture, such as Aram Khachaturian and Sviatoslav Richter, one of Vladigerov's most distinguished students, pianist Ivan Drenikov, shared: "He was like a pope! ...When a 'great' musician came, they had to visit Vladigerov..." “METROrhythmic Reflections” is realized with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Sofia.

Panel #4: "It may be good, it may be bad, just don't let it be boring."

Pancho Vladigerov with his moped, model Puch 250 TF 1952 250cc 2 cyl ts of the BMW brand, which he bought in the 1950s. When moving around the Lozenets district, clouds of dust would rise behind him because the streets were not yet paved. A popular anecdote tells how once, riding his moped near Bulgaria Hall, Vladigerov was hit by another motorcyclist. The young traffic police officer asked what make and color the motorcycle that hit him was, what its number was, and how the motorcyclist was dressed... but the victim remembered nothing. "How will we find and punish him then?" – the policeman wondered. And Pancho replied: "I remember – its horn was B flat, you'll find it by that!" The moped can be seen at Pancho Vladigerov House Museum - Sofia. “METROrhythmic Reflections” is realized with the financial support of the Ministry of Culture and the Municipality of Sofia.

Panel #5: "This is not a memory, Pancho Vladigerov is."

Photography was a favorite hobby of Vladigerov. He loved to "capture" significant moments and often spent time in nature, as well as at the villa in Lyulin Mountain, together with his second wife – Elka. To her, he dedicated the symphonic suite "Lyulin Impressions," which received the Sofia Prize in 1973. Over the years, Vladigerov collected an impressive photographic collection of pictures with autographs of personalities with whom he had close and professional relationships. Today, it can be seen at Pancho Vladigerov House Museum - Sofia.

Team of Pancho Vladigerov House Museum - Sofia