Chamber String Orchestra of Academy of Music in Festine Series Fascinated Audience
Last Thursday and Saturday, the Chamber String Orchestra of the Academy of Music, under the baton of Janez Podlesek, performed in the Union Hall in Maribor and in the Knights’ Hall in Križanke, Ljubljana, respectively. … Courage, exceptional energy, and especially a superb performance of young musicians fascinated the audience, while the musicians were thrilled with their great achievement, the acoustics in the Union Hall, and-more-than deserved ovations.
STA, 21 December 2011
Captivating Sound Effects
European youth music festival in Passau, in other words Young Classic Europe, as a hint and a proof of the talents at the highest level: The Monday’s concert in Leopoldinum, Passau, with Slovenians Izidor Grafenauer (guitar) and Katja Meljnikov (cello), was outside the scope and standards of ordinary youth festivals … at the end of the evening, one thing was sure that these two exceptional talents will build an international career in a short time.
Germany, Passauer Neue Presse, 19 October 2011
One of the Peaks of the Season
And the peak of the evening was Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition in Ravel’s orchestration. There are dozens of recordings of this popular and most often performed version that have mostly smoothed it, have reached almost virtuosic emptiness, and, indeed, even overemotional theatricality, but this time we were listening to the real Mussorgsky after a long time! … At each stage you could feel that conductor Marko Letonja and the Academy’s orchestra had been working really seriously together and both had been highly motivated, there was no patronizing relationship teacher-student, but merely flow of musical energy, excellent performance of some musicians (for example first trumpet and saxophone) and some sections.
Pogledi, 25 May 2011
Meta and Hyungjin Conquered Udine
Slovenian pianist Meta Fajdiga performed Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz with extreme energy and at a high technical level…
Italy, Messagero Veneto, 10 May 2011
GM Oder Concert Series 2010-11
Guitarist Mario Kurtjak … showcased great technical knowledge and a refined sound. What especially stood out were subtle nuances of sound in low dynamics … Doubtless, he is a talented young musician that raises expectations … The Accademia String Quartet and A La Corda String Quartet … the hierarchy of the musical material was always stated clearly, and such were also horizontal segments, so the formal structure of the compositions was plainly visible. A high level of musical interactions was also noticeable.
Glasna, April 2011
Internationally Successful Students from Academy of Music
The Slovenian music academy surely is not one of the largest in Europe, but it we paraphrase Tony Blair’s popular quote, if they are not the largest, they can at least be the best. The musicians from the Ljubljana Academy are ready for the big shot. This year, two of them managed to enter possibly the best two orchestra in the world … In this institution, the work really seems to be done at the highest possible level. And maybe a day is coming when European music would not be able to sound without Slovenians …
Pop TV, 24 ur, 17 March 2011
New Year’s Concert of Chamber Groups and Soloists from Academy of Music
A relaxed atmosphere and quality music are another proof that our young musicians truly enjoy playing together and know how to demonstrate their musical knowledge, skills, and passion to the audience…
RTV Slovenia, ARS Program, 5 January 2011
Vespers of Blessed Virgin
Tuesedy, the Ptuj audience was fascinated by the Baroque Orchestra and mixed and choral choirs of the Ljubljana Academy of Music under the baton of Egon Mihajlovic. In the completely packed Church of St Peter and Paul in Ptuj, they performed Vesper’s of the Blessed Virgin by Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi…
Večer, 24 December 2010
Musical Pulse
Last week, young Slovenian violinist Tanja Sonc presented herself … The depth of the interpretation and her unique expression, which could have turned to senseless playing in technically challenging parts, were remarkable for her age.
Radio Slovenia, 17 November 2010
Much More Colorful Than Usually
The concert continued with solist Tanja Sonc … The soloist impressed the audience with her technical mastery, a beautiful sound, and soloistic confidence …
Dnevnik, 16 November 2010
Amarilis Trio Filled Church of St George
Not a standing spot was left in the Church of St George in Legen by Slovenj Gradec, where three young musicians of the Amarilis Trio enraptured the audience on a concert that was part of the festivals Koroška Cultural Summer and the Summer in Slovenj Gradec.
Žurnal, 7 July 2010
From Šček to Puccini
Yet masters can do it. Our talented artist [Primož Sukič] dealt with the concert highly professional and responsible. Especially slower parts were played very musically and with a carefully considered sound…
Primorske novice, 28 May 2010
Ode to Gods of Rhythm
The three-day percussion festival featured local soloists as well as young and acclaimed musicians from Slovenia, Israel, Japan, and Russia … the highlight of the evening was the recital of the Slovenian Percussion Duo composed of exceptional young musicians Simon Klavžar and Jože Bogolin.
Serbia, Novi Sad, Dnevnik, 10 August 2009
Challenge of European Talents
The GUD Trio from Ljubljana performed with great technical precision … Izidor Erazem Grafenauer finished the concert with a thrilling interpretation…
Italy, Messagero Veneto, 14 May 2009
Chamber Operas of Composition Students
Music events that the Academy is organizing on its 70th anniversary are just building up. In recent days, the performance of Mahler’s challenging Second Symphony stood out, followed by the evening of new works of the composition students – chamber operas …
Delo, 9 May 2009
200 Young Talents from Ljubljana
A long applause of the audience for a successful concert of the orchestra and the choir of the Academy of Music of Ljubljana in the Tripkovich Hall.
Italy, Il Piccolo, 22 April 2009
New School and Standards
“I think that today we have got a new category: Pehlivanian’s Ljubljana school”, said the president of the Young Euro Classic Festival Willi Steul after a concert of the Academy’s Symphony Orchestra. He thinks that the orchestra … set new standards at the festival. Young Slovenian instrumentalists received standing ovations and the audience requested encores … even music critics from Berlin were enraptured.
Delo, 22 August 2007
Extraordinary Horn Player
The concert collaboration of the Academy of Music and our national institutions is functioning well. The eighth concert of the Academy’s series featured six young musicians, who played with the Ljubljana Opera Orchestra under the careful baton of Marko Gašperič. Bassoon player Milan Nikolić performed Mozart’s Concerto in B flat major, K. 191, with flying colors. He showcased relaxed bel canto, clear articulation, great movement, fine rhythmic incorporation into his part … Postgraduate student Gregor Fele played a concerto that is a dream for all cellists, Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor, op. 104. He played eagerly, with complete devotion, an interesting sound … The beautiful French duets were interpreted by two soloists full of ardor and inner harmony. Mezzo-soprano Amanda Stojović and soprano Zinovia-Maria Zafeiriadou subtly connected in the brightness and softly veiled lines of a duet from Lakmé. The duet of Nadir and Zurga was shared by tenorist Aljaž Farasin and baritone Rok Bavčar: with tonal confidence, sensitivity, and rich dynamics.
Delo, 3 July 2007
Academically Serious and Youthfully Fun
This time, the students of the Ljubljana Academy of Music, the members of the Wind Orchestra, spread their wings … spirited, fresh, academically serious and at the same time youthfully relaxed, and only occasionally with less precise intonation or rhythm are features of the concert of the 75-member Wind Orchestra that greatly impressed the audience in Gorizia, and a proof that there is a superb generation of young musicians in Slovenia.
Primorski dnevnik, 4 April 2006
Impressive from Bach to Shostakovich
The concert of the Chamber String Orchestra of the Academy of Music … it is not unnecessary to point out that both soloists revealed an excellent preparation of the entire ensemble, which, it seems, was literally inspired by Škerjanec to enthusiastically work together.
Croatia, Glas Istre, 2 March 2006
Masterful and Creative
The orchestra and the conductor [George Pehlivanian] earned the applause for enthusiastic, spirited, and passionate symphonic oscillations.
Večer, 19 May 2005
Lively Organ Party ... Praise and appreciation for the organists from the Ljubljana Academy of Music and their mentor Renata Bauer. At their evening concert, we fully felt and fully captured the successful work of young organists, their field of study, their great eagerness, and the broadness of the concert program, but, most of all, the highly promising approach to organ playing. All this surely guarantees success.
Večer, 10 May 2005
Respectable Piano Duo
The features of this young piano duo [Tadej Horvat and Miha Haas] are excellently harmonious playing and perfect sound control, captivating and occasionally individual agogic freedom, and technical mastery.
Croatia, Tonovi, March 2005
Local and Foreign Musicologists Meet
The International Musicological Conference [on Karol Pahor], which officially began on Thursday morning in the Hall of the Academy of Music, offered quality and extensive presentations of various experts – most of them professors from the hosting institution –, and added an important part to the mosaic of knowledge and understanding of a musician who still remains enigmatic in the complete sense of the word. And what is next? The conference coordinator Dr Koter is firmly convinced that the results of the successful and collaborative work of Slovenian and foreign musical experts … are already noticeable.
Večer, 30 Novemer 2004
Academically Clear Approach to Style
Technically brilliant playing of the orchestra, academically clear approach to style, youthful passionate expression, and a pleasing sound highlight the great potential of the young musicians and professional work of Professor Ciril Škerjanec.
Finance, 9 November 2004
Berlin Music Summer: Fresh, Happy, Classical
Another thrilling excitement was caused by only 22-year-old Slovenian composer Nina Šenk, who received the composing award of the festival for her violin concerto that was premiered in Berlin. Notably young audience, a lot of them had never been on a concert, found out that classical music could be youthful, fresh, and enjoyable.
Germany, Rhein-Zeitung, 24 August 2004
Stage, Show, Success for Slovenia
The Young-Euro-Classic Festival that took place in the Konzerthaus was full of surprises. The greatest surprise was the performance of the Symphony Orchestra of the Academy of Music of Ljubljana (Slovenia) … Ovations for the double scull Nina Šenk and Anja Bukovec with cox Pehlivanian, so to speak, a gold medal for their performance at the festival.
Germany, Berliner Morgenpost, 23 August 2004
Satisfactory Conclusion with Students from Academy of Music
I have to say that some qualities of the performers were evident right from the start … the musicians [the Forelius Quintet] understood each other very well and found the right spirit … a long applauding required an encore, which concluded a very successful and pleasing performance.
Primorski dnevnik, 23 April 2004
Osterc Anew, Talent of Yout
The orchestra of the Academy of Music revealed all colors, working enthusiasm of playing, high intensity, and creativity with almost completely exhaustive passion. Not to mention their youthful potential. The orchestra made us happy … The orchestral music that you can get enough, even if you are waiting to compare it, having heard it hundred times. This one was one of a kind, “academic”, always curios and inquisitive. For the conductor and the orchestra.Večer, 13 April 2004
RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and Soloists from Academy of Music
A show of the music students on various floors and passages, basically reflecting a highly professional artistic guidance projected on the stage with the young musicians. Some of them will be heard on concerts with the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, the SNG Opera and Ballet Orchestra of Maribor…
Večer, 3 March 2004
Beethoven’s Evening on Anniversary
It is a true joy when you combine so much talent, love of music, and respect for musical masterpieces …
Večer, 29 November 2003
Quality Evening of Young Composers and Performers
If you are worried about the future of Slovenian music, you can be relieved … what the students from the Ljubljana Academy of Music showed us, could set an example to many of us and give us stimulation…
Primorske novice, 12 October 2003
Serenades of Young Musicians
The title of the concert, the classical guitar duo [Eva Jelenc and Anže Palka] had chosen, namely, Saloon Music of the 19th Century, was a bit clumsy, as the music was far from such simplification. Their performance was artistically synchronized and with extraordinarily refined sound … The guitar duo showcased technical flawlessness, a lot of musical consistency, and a confident concert performance …
Večer, 13 September 2003
Musically Insatiable
From 16 to 23 May, the first such festival of young musicians took place in the radio studio. The mentor Tomaž Lorenz and Radio Slovenia presented a concise overview of activities of different chamber groups in a way that is usually marked by routine, monopoly, and privatization. This pioneer week promises more. Even though the idea was urged by people of two large institutions, the Tuesday’s concert caught the right place, the core of music. The performers knew how the shake the formal framework, as if they were testing the limits of their musical insatiability … For a long time, I had not heard so much music around here, as I did on that one evening in the radio studio.
Delo, 28 May 2003
Burn Academic Conventions
Even organists, students from the Academy of Music, have found their place in this year’s “academic” concert series. Organ students, whose mentor is Renata Bauer, played in the Gallus Hall of the Cankarjev dom … All young musicians fully mastered the selected works both from the technical side and in choosing registration, finding their own approach to the great book of organs.
Večer, 15 May 2003
Guest Performance of Symphony Orchestra of the Academy of Music
Will the convincing success of the Academy’s Symphony Orchestra in the ORF Concert Hall in Vienna open the doors for the young musicians to concerts across Europe? The answer is partly known, as the Vienna Academy Orchestra will return a concert in Ljubljana in November, and our orchestra has scheduled more guest performances (Banska Bistrica, Dresden, Amsterdam, Graz, Zagreb), making it one of the most active ensembles of its kind.
Delo, 3 May 2003
Elite Young Virtuosos
The students from Ljubljana [the Miha Haas and Tadej Horvat Piano Duo] showcased brilliant striking, storming rhythm, and sensible lyricism.
Austria, Salzburger Zeitung, 21 March 2003
Youthfully Convincing Performance
The perfectly selected program enthused mostly with youthful and convincing interpretation … [the choir under Marko Vatovec].
Primorske novice, 25 October 2002
Multilayered, Successful Triad
The first Triad was certainly successful and attracted much attention, as some venues were so full that it was almost impossible to get in …
Večer, 21 June 2002
1 Novelties in Repertoire
An artistic achievement at the level of quality symphonic concerts … the orchestra performed with complete obeisance to Letonja’s vision … which was inspiring and aroused such common enthusiasm that made every member of the orchestra play with maximal effort … a great concert.
Croatia, Vijenac, 2 May 2002
Unforgettable Musical Experience
Under the guidance of Ciril Škerjanec, Vasilij Meljnikov, and Alojz Zupan, the orchestra mastered a challenging program with precision and tonal beauty and presented it under the baton of maestro Marko Letonja … the performance was highly professional, precise, and full of emotions.
Croatia, Vjesnik, 30 April 2002
Thrilling Performance of Symphony Orchestra of Academy of Music
What the students of the Academy of Music gave us on Wednesday at their concert in the Gallus Hall … thrillingly exceeded all our expectations … from start to finish, the conductor [Marko Letonja] aroused and intensified tremendous enthusiasm, such that even our mature orchestras can rarely handle.
Dnevnik, April 2002
Concert of Guitar Quartet of Academy of Music
A great surprise occurred on Thursday, 19 April, at the Vič-Rudnik Music School, Ljubljana, namely a concert of the Guitar Quartet of the Academy of Music. For some time, the Quartet has been studying with Professor Tomaž Rajterič … so, I can conclude today’s report with one word: Bravo! Bravo to the young guitarists and their mentor.
Radio Slovenia, 25 April 2001