Night of Slovene Composers

Without question one of the principal promoters of Slovene music is the Society of Slovene Composers, a professional association dedicated to maintaining the quality and reputation of Slovene music both in Slovenia and around the world. The Society, now approaching the 80th anniversary of its foundation, a venerable milestone, also pursues its mission through the organisation of concerts. These include an evening of contemporary classical music, the now traditional Night of Slovene Composers, that always accompanies the Slovenian Music Days. An ongoing cycle of concerts and performances that has been held in various venues around Slovenia over the years, it is exclusively devoted to premiere performances of works by Slovene composers. The event is always a colourful blend of different formal, compositional and technical solutions that showcases the aesthetic principles inspiring current Slovene composers.
This edition of the Slovenian Music Days will include fourteen new works for a varied range of instruments in different combinations. New pieces for solo instruments are contributed by the veteran composers Igor Dekleva and Žarko Živković, both of whom remain faithful to their original instruments – respectively piano and guitar. The guitar is also the inspiration for jazz devotee Matija Marčina, while Tomaž Bajželj’s new work is dedicated to the romantic harp.
Viola and cello combine in a new composition from the unconventional, Vienna-based composer Aleksandra Bajde, while the versatile Uršula Jašovec and the expressively original Črt Sojar Voglar make a significant contribution to the otherwise relatively scant repertoire for guitar and harp duo. Compositions for trio are contributed by Imer Traja Brizani, who comes from the Roma musical tradition, the direct and subtle Bojan Glavina, and the genre-fluid Urška Orešič Šantavec. All three composers have sought new sonic solutions in the traditional instrumental combinations of flute, piano and viola/cello. Fresh sounds of a different kind are promised by Tomaž Svete and the traditionally inspired Tomaž Habe, both of whom combine three plucked string instruments in their new works: guitar, harp and zither – the last of these an increasingly common presence on concert platforms.
The Night of Slovene Composers, under the artistic direction of Črt Sojar Voglar, will also include the premiere performance of one instrumental quartet (flute, viola, cello and piano) by Vladimir Batista, a composer who is at home in the world of jazz and improvisation.
The interpretations of these new works are entrusted to outstanding Slovene musicians from the younger and middle generations, including many internationally acclaimed soloists.