Five generations of Japanese Ambassadors to Croatia, hosted by the Croatian Ambassador H. E. Mr. Dražen Hrastić and his spouse Mrs. Blaženka Hrastić, gathered together for an evening on 16 May 2022 that brought back nostalgic stories of their time in Croatia. On that occasion, Yoko Nishii had a mini concert. Yoko Nishii had the honor of performing also at the Spring Afternoon Tea for the spouses of ambassadors of various countries at Croatian Embassy on 19 May 2022, hosted by Croatian ambassador’’s spouse Mrs. Blaženka Hrastić.
Category: Music
Blessed Easter Greetings from the city of Solin, Croatia
The city of Solin, near the city of Split, sends us a wonderful Easter greeting in the form of a traditional Croatian song “Puče moj” ( My People , or Populus meus in Latin). It is interpreted in a contemporary way by the choir of Veritas aeterna (Eternal Truth) in the church of sv. Obitelji (Sacred Family) in Solin. Arranged by Antonio Grkeš, the soloists are Ante Mlikota, Ana Dobrijević, Antonio Grkeš, Doruntina Qivlaku. The Croatian original verses are translated into English. We also provide a very nice traditional Croatian melody for “Psalm 51” arranged by Ivanski from Kaštel Sućurac (in the vicitnty of Split).
Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra performing at Codagan Hall in London on 14 April 2022
The Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra boasts 150 years of tradition of first-class musicianship in Zagreb and across Croatia. Under the baton of conductor Jan Latham-Koenig, the Orchestra performs Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, with one of Britain’s most active concerto soloists and recitalists, violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen. Over the decades, the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra has stimulated Croatian musical creativity by performing, premiering and recording numerous pieces of music by Croatian composers and this concert will open with four short songs for voice and orchestra by Dora Pejačević sung by Croatian soprano Marija Vidović, on the photo.
Benefit concert of "I Medici di McGill Orchestra" in Montreal, Canada, to help Ukraine
You are cordially invited to the next concert of “I Medici di McGill Orchestra”, in collaboration with the McGill Ukrainian Students Association. Guest conductor, maestra Veronique Lussier leads the ensemble that will present the pianist and medical student Emily Oulousian in Grieg’s Piano Concerto, an MSF staff member on the ground in Ukraine will provide a 15 min presentation. The event starts with singing of the Ukrainian National anthem and three Ukrainian folks songs performed by Trio Rossa. The orchestra was founded in 1989 by Croatian-Canadian scientist and musician Dr. Ante L. Padjen (on the photo) with an aim to reinforce the study of the humanities at the faculty.
Tony Butala the lead singer of THE LETTERMEN is of Croatian descent
Tony Butala, of Croatian descent, is the founder (in 1960) and the lead singer of The Lettermen trio. It has existed for almost sixty years. Some of the best known songs interpreted by The Lettermen are such classics like “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”, “When I Fall in Love”, “Morning Girl”, … Tony Butala keeps in contact with Croatian community in the USA. Also, he is a passionate winemaker. When Mike Grgich, probably the most famous American wine maker (and born in Croatia) was at the age of 90 (in 2013), he participated in the program of his anniversary with several Croatian songs, like Marijana and Tri palme na otoku sreće .
Guy Mitchell American singer of Croatian origin "Singing the blues"
Guy Mitchell’s real name was Albert George Crnić, and both of his parents were from Croatia. His father Albert was born in the town of Mrkopalj in Gorski kotar (part of Croatia), who as a young man arrived to the USA, working in Detroit. Guy Mitchell’s mother Mary Dobrotinić was born in St. Louis, and both of her parents are from the town of Bribir near the Croatian coast. Albert junior was born in Detroit in 1927. In the 1950s and 1960s he registered for Columbia Records as many as 40 hits. Some of his most popular songs are My Heart Cries for You, Heartaches by the Number , and Singing the Blues , which in 1956 became the most wanted song during 10 weeks.
Mirjana Bohanec Croatian opera singer, diplomat, and a film star
Her concert reportoire is very extensive: from Baroque oratorial works of Bach, Haendel, Monteverdi, Pergolesi, Cherubini, Vivaldi, to such classics like Mozart and Haydn. She sang numerous pieces of Lied, composed by Schumann, Schubert, Brahms, Grieg, Debussy, etc. She also interpreted works of Croatian authors: Antun Sorkočević, Vinko Jelić, Ivan Lukačić, Ferdo Livadić, Vatroslave Lisinski, etc. Except in Croatia, she had concerts in Austria, Germany, Italy, Swityerland, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, France, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Ukraine, Australia, Canada and in the USA. However, she is best known for her role in the an anthological Croatian film Tko pjeva zlo ne misli (Who Sings – Does not Think of Evil). She was also a Croatian diplomat in Germany and Austria in 1990s.
Radoslav Lorkovic inducted to the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame on October 17, 2021
Born in Zagreb, Croatia in 1958, Radoslav moved to the United States at age six. In the late 1990s Radoslav took his blues and accordian stylings to numerous Yupa ik Eskimo villages throughout SW Alaska. This memorable, mid-winter visit also included community concerts and class presentations in nearly twenty villages. Drawing from a multitude of influences ranging from elegant classical and jazz styles to the rawest, most basic blues, country and soul, Radoslav Lorkovic has taken on an unusually broad musical spectrum and refined it into his distinctive piano style. He has played with Odetta, Shawn Mullins, Greg Brown, Jimmy LaFave and others.
Ivana Marija Vidović a member of the Jury of the pianist competition in Acquaviva delle Fonti in Italy
Nedavno je u starome talijanskom gradu Acquaviva delle Fonti u blizini Barija u Apuliji održano vrlo ugledno međunarodno natjecanje pijanista iz cijelog svijeta od Kanade, SADa, Kine, Južne Koreje pa do brojnih europskih zemalja. U konkurenciji do 35 godina starosti bio je i jedan natjecatelj iz Hrvatske. Riječ je o natjecanju Citta di Acquaviva “žGiovanni Colafemmina”. Na čelu žirija bio je ugledni argentinski pijanist Daniel Rivera, a članica žirija bila je i hrvatska pijanistica Ivana Marija Vidović.
Epidaurus Festival organized by Ivana Marija Vidovic for the 15th time in the town of Cavtat
Ivana Marija Vidović, Croatian concert pianist and poet (on the photo), is the founder and director of the Epidaurus Festival in Cavtat, a beautiful town south-east of the city of Dubrovnik, where she was born. In 2021, the festival is marking its fifteenth anniversary. We owe her our deep gratitude for great efforts and love, which has connected so many Croatian and foreign artists, especially musicians. The burden of its organization is shared by her mother Franica, as well as by her father, and a small number of faithful colleagues and friends. In 2021, a special guest of the festival will be Radojka Šverko, distinguished Croatian diva.
Yoko Nishii's concert in Tokamachi on the occasion of Croatia's participation at 2021 Olympic Games in Japan
On the occasion of the participation of the Republic of Croatia at the 2021 Olympic Games in Japan, Yoko Nishii, Japanese pianist, gave a concert in the city of Tokamachi. The city is marked with Japan Croatia Friendship House, as a special sign of friendship between the two countries. Yoko Nishii is fluent in Croatian language, and she had as many as 50 soloist concerts in 24 Croatian cities.
Frano Kakarigi distinguished Croatian classical double bassist in Granada, Spain
Maestro Frano Kakarigi was born in the city of Dubrovnik, and completed his study of double bass at the Academy of Music of the University of Zagreb, Croatia. He played as a principal bassist with the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, and since 1991 with the City Orchestra of Granada, Spain. Besides being a passionate educator, he is known for his rich international collaboration with numerous music institutions and festivals, including in his native Croatia. He has a fruitful collaboration with Croatian pianist Ivana Marija Vidović, who is the founder and director of the Festival Epidaurus in Cavtat.
Marija Vidovic distinguished Croatian soprano singer
An international career of Marija Vidović began with her music education in the city of Varaždin, Croatia. She studied and obtained her master’s degree in Vienna and Stuttgart at the University of Music and Arts. One of the world’s most famous and respected tenors and pedagogues Prof. Dr.h.c KS. Francisco Araiza was her professor and mentor. She has sung in the world’s most important concert halls, the famous Musikverein in Vienna, Gasteig in Munich, the Bellas Artes Opera in Mexico City and the largest international festivals of classical music in North and South America.
Sjecanje na Velu Luku a song by Branko Zuvela Dodo interpreted in Czech translation from Croatian
Branko Žuvela Dodo is the author of Croatian song “Sjećanje na Velu Luku” (Remembering Vela Luka), that almost every Croatian knows. Most of them think that it is a folk song. Vela Luka is a lovely Croatian town on the island of Korčula, where the author of the song was born. It is interesting that there exists a Czech version of the song (Krasne s tebou žit). This version was published on YouTube by late David Byler (on the photo), collaborator of the CROWN, who prepared the accompanying video.
Yoko Nishii's tribute to Dora Pejacevic the greatest Croatian female composer
In March 2021, Japanese pianist Yoko Nishii had a pianist concert interpreting compositions by Dora Pejačević (1885-1923, on the photo), who is the greatest Croatian woman composer in history. Mrs Nishii was playing “at a distance”, from her home in Japan in the city of Ise, while her audience was in Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Yoko Nishii is fluent in Croatian language. She had as many as 50 soloist concerts in 24 cities throughout Croatia. On 5th March 2021, Yoko Nishii launched a very nice video about Dora Pejačević, based on her own photos from the town of Našice where Dora spent a greater part of her short life.
Ivana Marija Vidovic a member of the pianist jury at the International competition in Lviv, Ukraine 2021
Ivana Marija Vidović, concert pianist and poet from the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, participated as a member of the pianist jury at the International Music Competition organized during the Christmas time in Lviv, Ukraine, by the end of 2020. The festival lasted until mid-February 2021. The event was organized at a distance, showing enormous potential of young musicians. For Ivana, it was her second participation in Lviv as a member of the international jury. As many as 2000 young musicians have participated at this international music competition. The city of Lviv has a Middle European touch, as well as Croatia’s capital Zagreb.
Ana Vidovic Croatian guitarist daily routines and interviews
Ana Vidovic shares a glimpse into what her normal day with the classical guitar looks like, including why she still practices scales, how she works on repertoire, and more! She also gives advice for aspiring professionals who are just starting a career in music. Also, leading up to filming with Ana Vidovic, she answered various questions you would people to ask a true classical guitar superstar. In this special Q&A, Ana sits down and talks candidly about topics such as stage fright, learning new music, essential travel items, and much more!
Petrinja and Sisak between the sounds of the earthquake and of classical music
In this article we provide photos and sounds commemorating the earthquake (6.2 degrees on the Richter scale) that by the end of 2020 struck the areas of the towns of Sisak and Petrinja south of Zagreb. The earthquake was felt as far as Italy and Austria. Both towns have already undergone a very slow and complex process of renovation in the period of two and a half decades after the Serbian agression on Croatia. We intersperse the presentation with photos showing its past and present. On the photo – Sisak Angels.
Branka Musulin 1917-1975 distinguished Croatian pianist
Branka Musulin, fantastic Croatian pianist, completed the Academy of Music of the University of Zagreb at the age of 19. She spent most of her pianistic life in Germany, and played under the baton of Hans Mueller-Kray, Willem Mengelberg, Hermann Abendroth, Franz Konwitschny, Karl Boehm, Georg Solti and Sergiu Celibidache. She had numerous pianist concerts throughout Europe, especially in her native Croatia and in Germany, as well as in Japan. Since 1958, she lectured at the Hochschule fuer Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt am Main, first as Dozent and then as Professor. She should not be forgotten!
Marina Jurica singing meteorologist lead commentator for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory since 2019
Marina Jurica graduated from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) with two degrees: one in Meteorology and the other in Opera Performance. She is persuing both of her passions. She worked in Orlando, Florida, before becoming chief meteorologist at CBS47 in 2016. She was the first female chief meteorologist in the USA, and is still one of the few female chiefs. She appeared as professional opera singer in the Canadian tour of “Les Miserables” and debuted her own show “Seasons of Love” on Broadway in 2018. Her father is from the island of Lastovo, and mother from the city of Opatija, both in Croatia: “I am a first generation American, my ENTIRE family is Croatian. Growing up in a Croatian home and French immersion school, I became tri-lingual quickly.”. On the photo, Marina Jurica is with her son John.