ALL BEETHOVEN: The Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra brings works of the master composer to State Theatre New Jersey in New Brunswick on February 17. (Photo by Vasilka Balevska)

State Theatre New Jersey presents the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra led by Principal Conductor Derek Gleeson on Saturday, February 17 at 7 p.m. The all-Beethoven program includes the Coriolanus Overture, Piano Concerto No. 5, and Beethoven Symphony No. 7 with pianist Ivaylo Vassilev.

In 1945 the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra became the national orchestra of Bulgaria and represents the overall contemporary musical culture of the country. The repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary, including premiere performances of numerous works by Bulgarian composers.

In 2020 Gleeson was named principal conductor of the orchestra. As a guest conductor, he has led the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Orchestras, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. He was music director of the Rückert Orchestra of Dublin (1990 through 1993), and since 1997, he has been permanent music director of The Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Vassilev is 16 years old, but has already earned an impressive collection of more than 30 prizes from international competitions from around the world. As a soloist, he has performed with many Bulgarian and Russian orchestras, including the four major Bulgarian ones — Sofia Philharmonic, Bulgarian National Radio Orchestra, Classic FM orchestra, and Varna Philharmonic, as well as with Russian Philharmonic Orchestra. His first album with Mozart and Shostakovich piano concertos was recorded and released in 2019 in St. Petersburg, as a special prize for winning the Golden Nutcracker Award.

State Theatre New Jersey is located at 15 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick. Tickets are $25-$55. Visit stnj.org.