The magic of Sirba Octet comes to Sofia for the European Music Festival

Following a series of classical events at the European Music Festival, the May program takes a new direction with the first guest appearance in the Bulgarian capital of the Sirba Octet. The ensemble’s founder, Richard Schmukler — a violinist and pedagogue with a classical musical background — has built his career in prestigious French orchestras. Under his leadership, the octet has performed in major European concert halls such as the Philharmonie de Paris (Paris Philharmonic), the Concertgebouw Hall in Amsterdam, and the Musikverein Vienna. The ensemble’s recordings have been honoured with the Choc Classica award.

On 16 May 2026, at Sofia Live Club, the French musicians will present their programme Tanz!, blending traditions such as klezmer, jazz and folk music. It promises an exciting experience where different styles and cultures come together— from Eastern Europe to Paris.

Klezmer is a musical style characteristic of Jewish communities in Eastern Europe that has existed for centuries. ''Unlike other traditions, here we have only instruments, but they can express the full spectrum of emotions — laughter, sadness, joy. The instruments literally “sing”… This music preserves the memory and the positive emotions of life in Europe before World War II'', says Richard Schmukler. 

The violinist’s personal story is also multilayered. His family has Romanian, Polishand Moldovan roots. His ancestors moved to Western Europe at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. This sense of movement and cultural blending is reflected in the ensemble’s projects, which bring together musicians from leading French orchestras: the Orchestre de Paris, Orchestre National de France, and the Paris Opera Orchestra.

“‘We are united by the idea of doing what some of the great composers did — Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, Franz Liszt, and Johannes Brahms — namely presenting folk music through the lens of classical traditions'', explains the artistic director of the Sirba Octet. The ensemble’s name derives from the traditional Romanian dance “sârba”, which is performed in a circle and evokes a sense of closeness and shared experience.

“Through music, we seek to enjoy life and celebrate our existence. In many pieces, you will hear great joy mixed with a touch of sadness, or very sad music in which there is still a seed of happiness. This music speaks directly to our heart and our soul”, said Richard Schmukler.

Since 2003, the Sirba Octet has developed an extensive concert and recording career. Its debut album ''A Yiddishe Mame'' (2005) immediately attracted the attention of both audiences and critics. The Sirba Octet created its own style, described as ''Classical World'', in which genre boundaries are blurred and emotion and virtuosity take centre stage.

Edited by Tsvetana Toncheva

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov