The Bulgarian National Radio Symphony Orchestra is a Bulgarian radio orchestra based in Sofia, Bulgaria, affiliated with Bulgarian National Radio. It gives concerts in the Bulgaria Concert Hall. Founded in 1948, the orchestra’s first chief conductor was Vassil Stefanov, who remained affiliated with the orchestra from 1948 to 1988. The musicians in the Orchestra have impressive musical biographies—most are graduates of the National Music Academy in Sofia, but many studied or specialized in conservatories in Moscow, St Petersburg, the Juilliard School, and in prestigious academies and universities in Vienna, London, Lausanne, etc. The orchestra of the National Radio of Bulgaria is the best symphonic ensemble of the country, with discs produced by Harmonia Mundi, BMG, and participation in the cultural program of the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2004 Athens Olympics. The recording of three Mozart concertos was made in the studio of the Bulgarian National Radio, which is among the 10 best studios in Europe.