Violinist Svetlin Roussev – one of the brightest instrumentalists on the planet at the moment, a charismatic artist with enviable intelligence, impressive sound culture and amazing ease in communication, was in Sofia on March 13 for a concert with the Sofia Philharmonic. The evening remains a historic event because of the world premiere of the last symphony – Eleventh, by great composer and conductor Emil Tabakov.

A day before the concert, Roussev said that he came from "perhaps the most beautiful ski resort in the world - Val D'Isere", where he presented a solo recital with the Capriccios of Petar Hristoskov, Niccolò Paganini and the nearly unknown in Bulgaria Brazilian violinist and composer Flausino Vale. In fact, 2025 has started with two very challenging recitals in one day: first all of Ysaÿe’s sonatas, then all of Paganini's capriccios!

"Actually, this is something like gymnastics. It's not about duration, about concentration, but about something that requires an enormous amount of preparation, conditioning, it's just millions of notes with different techniques that change literally every second with Paganini."

When asked whether it is true that Beethoven's violin concerto is the most difficult, Svetlin confidently answers: "Yes! Because we are quite isolated in terms of ways of expression, technique and effects. This is incredibly pure music and one feels almost naked on stage. There are simply far fewer options for expressing emotions. Not to mention that even from the point of view of intonation it is something extremely rare... A truly difficult concerto and perhaps the most difficult".

In October 2024, Svetlin Roussev was entrusted a unique music instrument, owned by the Bulgarian state – 1716 Stradivarius violin. How does his new instrument, known as "Baron Wittgenstein", feel today?

"Yes, Baron Wittgenstein from 1716 - an incredible violin, which is from Stradivari's golden period. This violin, like all similar ones, requires a fairly long period of befriending. Prof. Mincho Minchev recently said that in his case it took a year and a half. In my case, the violin has been with me since October 29, so we are still in the process of getting to know each other, but this is a truly unique relationship. It all comes from the performer himself, but it is very interesting how every person who plays such an instrument for a long enough time leaves some kind of trace."

The priceless violin that Roussev received from the Bulgarian state was the property of the famous and very wealthy Austrian Wittgenstein family. In 1950, it was sold in New York and the concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic played on it. In 1976, Bulgaria bought it and was in the hands of Mincho Minchev for 47 years. Before "Baron Wittgenstein" until 2021 Svetlin Roussev had another Stradivarius - owned by the Japanese Nippon Foundation. "It was with me for nine whole years. It was truly a chance to touch such an instrument for so long. But as arrogant as it may sound, this (new) one is better! Even better!" the violinist says.

Currently, Svetlin Roussev has left all the positions he held in France and Switzerland, with the exception of his class at the Paris Conservatory. The Conservatory is very special to him, first of all, it is one of the oldest music schools. There, Roussev is the successor of his beloved teacher Devi Erlich. "I am the heir to simply incredible people, so this is the place where I am staying."

He has lived in France since he was 15 and has never had problems with integration. He admits that his French is better than his Bulgarian. "Actually, I have spent more years in France than in Bulgaria, but I am still a citizen of the world and at the moment I stay very little there. I go to Paris, teach and leave - either in the evening or the next morning."

"I'm currently living on airplanes, but… I have secret plans for… Bulgaria. Yes, I would love to! And things will happen, it's just that the process is quite complicated, difficult, and slow."

What is Bulgaria: language, culture, music, parents, relatives, friendships, lifestyle, folklore, food? What's the first thing that comes to mind?

"The first is Homeland, but next come the things you cited, absolutely all of that… Many things have been given to this country, even though it is small and with a small population, but we simply don't realize how grateful we should be every day. What we have and where we come from… I am extremely proud and in the best sense I consider myself a patriot."

At the end, I can't resist asking a French graduate if he has heard of Marcel Proust's infamous questionnaire. Svetlin Roussev has heard of it, but has never answered the questions and readily agrees. I don't ask all 30+ questions, but I manage to understand that the most important trait of his character is... stubbornness. The quality he would like to see in a man is dignity, and in a woman - sincerity. His biggest passion at the moment is the violin, and his favorite pastime - sports. Favorite color - all tones of blue, favorite flower - the rose. His dream of happiness has come true and the greatest tragedy for him would be to break away from music. His favorite names are those of his daughter - Chloé-Mila, and his favorite literary characters: Athos, Porthos, Aramis and d'Artagnan.

Publication in English: Al. Markov

Photos: BTA, BGNES, svetlinroussev.net