Dimitri Atanassov at Clouston Hall, St Cuthbert's College

Dimitri Atanassov well remembers his first communication from the Auckland Philharmonia 11 years ago.

"It was a winter evening in Bulgaria," says the violinist. "I came home after a long recording session with the Sofia Philharmonic and found a letter asking for an audition tape."

He took up the sub-principal's post in 1995 and now, just over a decade later, Atanassov is the orchestra's new concertmaster.

The AP has certainly progressed over the past 11 years and, according to its leader, "the culture of the orchestra has changed too. It has become more professional, especially with the latest changes with management."

He is bemused that some Aucklanders still do not know there is a professional orchestra in town.

"When you tell some people you play the violin professionally, they say, 'You get paid for that, too?' "

The relationship between the city and the musicians is paramount. "The orchestra will help the city to grow, and it must have support from the city in return."

This week, the Auckland Philharmonia launches its activities for the year with its popular Lion Foundation Orchestral Summer School.

On Sunday, after five days of intensive music-making, two generous concerts will flank a "sumptuous gourmet barbecue".

Atanassov leads the Premier Fellowship Orchestra, which tackles Mahler's First Symphony and Christopher Blake's Echelles de Glace, and the inclusion of a New Zealand work is typical of the orchestra's loyalty to the local composer.

Atanassov is also looking forward to Blake's Aoraki Concerto, which Natalia Lomeiko will deliver in March.

"Alas, this is the only New Zealand violin concerto," he says. "I wish there was another - I need someone to write one for me," he adds skittishly.

Other highlights include Shostakovich's Leningrad Symphony ("a big piece, powerful and very emotional") but Atanassov is feeling his way into Gareth Farr's new score for The Wedding, which the Royal New Zealand Ballet will premiere on March 1.

"It is hard stuff but very, very interesting. There's a bit of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake there and some other things, but it's good."

Responsibilities such as this are just one of the challenges being a concertmaster involves. "You have to direct, and insist on things, say exactly what you want and be very clear how you ask people to do something because you only get one chance to do it."

Diplomacy is a virtue that comes up more than once in our conversation, and he's the perfect diplomat when we talk conductors.

It is easy to sense Atanassov's favourites. Marco Zuccarini "lives for the music ... really knows what he wants even if I don't always agree with him"; Shlomo Mintz "had the strings sounding their best because he also made it very clear what he wanted".

Others credited with technical excellence do not make the pantheon. Why? "It's the lack of experience of being able to play an instrument properly and be an active musician. That makes a big difference."

No worries with Atanassov who has already proved himself a man of style, particularly in Rimsky-Korskakov's Scheherazade, "where every solo can be played in a different way. The possibilities are endless."

At this point he can't resist an impish parallel with Kiwi car culture.

"It's like you are part of the family, going along with everyone in the family car and then suddenly you have to jump in the sports car or whatever, and then get back into the family car."

There are other necessary virtues; courage and a sense of adventure.

"Some musicians are afraid to come out of their skin and from what's written on the page," Atanassov stresses.

"There is even more life behind the black dots and one has to bring this life out and give it to people.

"That is what we are there for - to tell the audience a story with what we play.

"If we don't then it doesn't make any sense. Nothing. It's just noise, and no one remembers anything."

What: Grand Finale Concert, Lion Foundation Summer Orchestral School

Where and when: Clouston Hall, St Cuthbert's College, Market Rd, Sunday 11am