Name: Sergei Krylov's memorable Mendelssohn with the Sofia Philharmonic visiting Belgrade
Item: Sofia Philharmonic & Nayden Todorov visiting Belgrade
Author: Peter Connors

Todorov ensured that while the focus kept shifting, the result was a magnificent whole. In the first movement the mood could switch from mystery to jollity, from a sweeping cello tune to a perky woodwind outburst, in a moment. Todorov marshalled his huge forces with care, controlling the overall ebb and flow of the music and highlighting the little details from orchestral soloists that give this symphony a special flavour. In the second movement some of the contributions, for example from the harp, celesta and flute, gained a prominence that is rarely achieved. In fact, throughout the symphony I found myself noticing intriguing combinations of instruments that I did not remember from previous hearings.