site.btaMarch 4, 1929: Sofia Philharmonic's Predecessor Academic Symphony Orchestra Gives First Concert

On March 4, 1929, the Academic Symphony Orchestra - the predecessor of Sofia Philharmonic - held its first concert under the baton of Prof. Sasha Popov.

Founded in 1928 on Popov's initiative, the orchestra emerged from a small student ensemble at the State Music Academy. In 1936, it was incorporated into the Ministry of War and renamed Military Symphony Orchestra, later becoming a Royal Military Symphony Orchestra. On May 1, 1938, the ensemble was officially designated as an independent military unit under the direct orders of the Minister of War.

Following the communist coup d'etat on September 9, 1944, the orchestra was transferred to the newly established Ministry of Information and Arts, adopting the name State Symphony Orchestra under the Directorate of Broadcasting. In 1947, it became a stand-alone institution named Bulgarian National Philharmonic, and in 1949, it was officially designated Sofia State Philharmonic.

By a Council of Ministers decree of n January 1983, the ensemble was renamed Sofia Philharmonic. Another decree, dated July 11, 1994, granted it the status of a state cultural institution of national significance.