French flutist Sandrine François and her Bulgarian colleague Nikolay Stoykov, together with pianist Veneta Neynska, present a program dedicated to the virtuosity, elegance, and rich expressive capabilities of this exquisite wind instrument.

The concert brings together diverse musical eras and styles—from the Baroque refinement of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach to the Romantic brilliance of Franz Doppler and Paul Taffanel, and the French sensibility of Philippe Gaubert and Raymond Guiot. Operatic fantasies, dance rhythms, and chamber music intertwine in a program filled with contrasts, virtuosic challenges, and artistic freedom.

A special place is reserved for the dialogue between the two flutes, while the piano acts as a full-fledged partner in the musical interplay. The three performers share the stage for the first time in an evening celebrating the French musical tradition and the European cultural spirit.

Part of “Chamber concerts”

The Performers

Sandrine François – flute
Nikolay Stoykov – flute
Veneta Neynska – piano

The Programme

Franz Doppler (1821–1883)
Fantasia on the Opera Rigoletto, Op.38, for two flutes and piano

Philippe Gobert (1879–1941)
Greek Divertimento for Two Flutes and Piano

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710–1784)
Duo in G major, F. 59, for two flutes
I.Allegro ma non troppo
II.Cantabile
III.Alla breve
IV.Gigue

Paul Taffanel (1844–1908)
Grand Fantasia on the Opera Minion for Flute and Piano

Raymond Guillot (1930–2025)
Marion Suite for Flute and Piano

Franz Doppler (1821–1883)
Hungarian Duetto, Op.36, for two flutes and piano

Sandrine François is currently Principal Flute in the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra in France since 1996. She teaches also at the Strasbourg Conservatory and at the HEAR which is a Superior Music Academy.

She performs as a soloist on a regular basis with various orchestras and chamber music groups a varied repertory including harp, percussion, cymbalum and piano.

Regularly invited to give master-classes, notably in China, Japan, Korea, USA, Poland, Italy, France, she is recognized as a performer and as a teacher.

She has also created a show for children, named La Flute de la Salute which is a concert for flute including a beautiful tale with artist Delphine Kammerlocher.
She studied at the National Superior Conservatory of Music in Paris where she obtained a unanimous First Prize in flute and a first Prize in Chamber Music and continued further studies in the USA with Michel Debost.

She has recorded two CDs: Bluesy Prelude with music by Raymond Guiot and Aubade à la lune with the Ensemble Aeneas, flute, harp and string trio.

Nikolay Stoykov graduated from the National School of Music “Lyubomir Pipkov” in the flute class of Mila Pavlova and continued his studies at the National Academy of Music “Prof. Pancho Vladigerov” under Prof. Lidia Oshavkova.

Between 2010 and 2017, he specialized in France—first at the Conservatory of Strasbourg with Sandrine François, and later in Paris with the world-renowned flutist Patrick Gallois.

He performs actively as both a soloist and chamber musician, appearing at festivals such as ppIANISSIMO, New Bulgarian Music, The Art of Baroque, and Mozart Festival – Pravets. He has collaborated with distinguished artists including Zefira Valova, Ina Kancheva, Christophe Coin, and Alon Sariel, and is a regular guest of the French Institute in Sofia.

Stoykov has performed in Bulgaria and abroad, including in Paris with violinist Augusta McKay Lodge. His repertoire spans from the Renaissance to contemporary music.

He is currently a principal flutist with the Sofia Wind Orchestra and maintains an active concert and teaching career.

Veneta Neynska is a Bulgarian pianist known for her original projects and insightful interpretations that bring together music, literature and the visual arts. She graduated from the National School of Music in Sofia with a National Diploma, before continuing her studies with John Perry at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and Joan Havill at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Her notable projects include the albums Brevitas and The Architec’s View, as well as the music documentary Dimitar Nenov and the Dimensions of Elegance, created in collaboration with director Jassen Haralambev. Veneta is an active researcher and advocate for the music of Dimitar Nenov. Her recording of his exceptionally demanding Toccata is the first official one by a female pianist.

As a performer, she is distinguished by her interest in rarely performed repertoire, including works by Clara Schumann, the sons of J. S. Bach, Alexandre Tansman and Bulgarian composers. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Sofia Art Institute and the creator of concert series such as Concerts with History, alongside innovative concert and educational projects.

https://neynska.com