Minnesota Guitar Society Mission Statement Promote the guitar in all its stylistic and cultural diversity through sponsorship of public forums, concerts, and workshops. Serve as an educational and social link between the community G u i t a r i s t and amateur and professional guitarists of all ages. The Minnesota Guitar Society PO Box 14986 / Minneapolis MN 55414 Vol. 35 No. 2 / Special Spring Issue 2019
Tribute Concert for Sabrina Vlaškalić Sabrina Vlaškalić had been scheduled to perform Serbian-born Sabrina here on March 23rd. On January 18th, we were Vlaškalić was a rising shocked and heartbroken to learn that she had star in the classical gui- been killed on January 17th when she was hit by a tar world. Her concert truck while riding her bicycle in Groningen, Neth- for our series would erlands. It was the day before her 30th birthday. have been her North Thanks to the efforts of MGS Artistic Director American debut. The Joe Hagedorn and U of MN professor Maja day before her death, Radovanlija, we have organized a concert to pay she had learned that tribute to Vlaškalić and also celebrate the strong she had been selected to community of Serbian-born classical guitarists. give a concert at the This concert will take place on March 17th at 3 pm, 2020 Guitar Founda- at Sundin Music Hall. Anyone already holding a tion of America annual convention. She performed ticket for the original March 23rd concert is wel- throughout Europe, Asia, and Latin America, won over come to use that. Tickets for the tribute concert 10 special and 25 first prizes in various competitions, are available through our website. made TV and radio appearances in Norway, The Neth- Performing at the concert will be Aleksandar erlands, Turkey, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, and Hadži-Đorđević, who was one of Vlaškalić’s first Macedonia, and was professor of classical guitar at teachers, as well as Maja Radovanlija and four cur- Prince Claus Conservatoire (Hanze University) in rent U of MN graduate guitar students—Momčilo Groningen, The Netherlands. Aleksandrić, Nikola Korovljev, Milena Petković, and Filip Živanović. All are natives of Serbia. Sunday March 17th, 3:00 pm
Aleksandar Hadži-Đorđević was born in Bel- Sundin Music Hall grade, Serbia. He made his debut in 1980 at the age of on the campus of Hamline University, St. Paul 16, performing Joaquín Rodrigo’s Concierto de Performing will be Aleksandar Hadži-Đorđević, Aranjuez with the Zagreb Symphonists and Uroš Lajovic at the Lisinski Concert Hall. In 1984, he won Maja Radovanlija, Milena Petković, Momčilo first place at the Inter- Aleksandrić, Filip Živanović, Nikola Korovljev. national Guitar Com- Tickets available online through our website petition in Kutná Hora, or call our reservation line 612 7677 1151. Czech Republic. He studied guitar at the General admission. Doors open at 2:30 pm. Academy of Perform- ing Arts in Prague with Prof. Štěpán Rak and Prof. Martin Also in this issue… Mysliveček, and he graduated with distinction in 1987. Upcoming Sundin Music Hall Concerts, page 3 Hadži-Đorđević’s prolific and versatile career has been Mid America Guitar Ensemble Festival, page 4 equally successful in two directions–as a guitar peda- gogue and as a concert performer. He has taught guitar Society News and Notes, page 5 at several schools of music in Belgrade. Many of his Showcase Series Concerts, pages 6 and 7
continued on page 2 SUNDIN HALL CONCERT SERIES
Tribute Concert continued from page 1 pupils have won the highest prizes at guitar competitions. chamber musician in Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Macedo- Some are now accomplished artists and professors of guitar nia, Greece, Tunisia, Switzerland, and other European at universities in Europe and the US. countries. He is frequently invited to participate in juries at Serbi- Her interest in experimental and improvisational mu- an and international guitar and chamber music competi- sic grew at the same time as her interest in different ap- tions. He has been recognized for his pedagogical work by proaches within the classical guitar repertoire. She has ex- The Association of Music and Ballet Schools of Serbia, and plored a variety of ensemble settings and collaborative set- by the Assembly of the City of Belgrade. tings in which the guitar might find its place in improvised He has built a prominent career as a solo artist, per- pieces, ways of using “prepared” guitar, and offering a vari- forming in Serbia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Croatia, ety of sounds through extended techniques. Cyprus, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herze- More recently she has explored incorporating other govina. He is also well-known as a chamber musician, per- elements into improvised pieces, such as visual elements, forming in a duo with his colleague Srđan Tošić. object improvisation, and movement. She is a member of He received his PhD from the Faculty of Music in Bel- ISIM (International Society for Improvised Music) and col- grade in June 2015. He is Assistant Professor of Guitar at laborates with such improvisers/artists as Szilard Mezei University of Arts in Belgrade, Faculty of Music. (Serbia/Hungary), Diane Willow, (Improvised Ecosystems project), Scott Currie (US), Michelle Kinney (US),Shahriar Maja Radovanlija was born in Belgrade, Serbia. As a Jamshidi, Alex Lubet (US), Phil Fried (US), and Manja child, she won several awards in music school festivals and Ristic (Serbia). competitions in the former Yugoslavia. During high school, As a graduate student (M.M. and D.M.) at Indiana Uni- she won second prize at the Petar Konjevic International versity (IU), she studied with Ernesto Bitetti. She also stud- Competition in Belgrade, performed her first solo recital, ied early music with lutenist Nigel North. She won second and took part in a classi- prize at the Latin-American music competition at IU in cal music show for Na- 2009 and was included on two compilation CDs produced tional Television of Ser- by the IU Latin-American Music Center. She has per- bia. In addition to clas- formed new music written for guitar by D. Freund and A. sical repertoire, she was Travors as a duo and has collaborated with numerous com- strongly attracted to jazz position students of the IU Jacobs School of Music. Since and participated in sev- 2011 she has been on the faculty of the University of Min- eral annual workshops nesota and a member of the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet. called Classical Musi- In addition to Aleksandar Hadži-Đorđević, and Maja cians Play Jazz led by Radovanlija, the concert will feature four outstanding bassist Vojin Draskoci. younger members of the classical guitar community— Ever since, she has in- Momčilo Aleksandrić, Nikola Korovljev, Milena corporated improvisa- Petković, and Filip Živanović—who are completing tion in her musical experience, mostly through playing with their graduate studies at the U of MN. All four have a variety of small and chamber ensembles. She completed also graciously agreed to perform for the MGS at our her bachelor’s degree at the University of Belgrade as a stu- Showcase Series concerts later this spring. Please turn dent of Prof. Srđan Tošić. While studying with Prof. Tošić, to pages 6 and 7 of this issue for more information she won first prize at the International Competition in about them. Kjustendil, Bulgaria and performed frequently as solo and Tribute Concert continued on page 3
MGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEWSLETTER Officers Production Editor Paul Hintz Copyeditor President Joe Haus Annett Richter Fox Ridge Printing Vice-President Joanne Backer Treasurer Doug Whorton WEBSITE Design and Maintenance Ann Wempner Secretary Christopher Olson Artistic Director Joe Hagedorn SOCIAL MEDIA Manager Daniel Volovets Managing Director Paul Hintz Guitar In Our Schools Members Program Coordinator Milena Petković Annett Richter Dan Lehn Jerry Bannach Mary Ellison OpenStage Coordinator and Tech Guru Mark Bussey
2 g u I t a r I s t SUNDIN HALL CONCERT SERIES Tribute Concert continued from page 2 Classical Guitarist Concert Program for March 17 Celil Refik Kaya Maja Radovanlija and Milena Petković Saturday “Vision” from Two Russian Pieces, by Konstantin Vassiliev April 27th, 7:30 pm Filip Živanović Our April artist is indeed an emerging star. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Celil Fantasy on Two Motifs from Bellini’s Norma, by Napoleon Coste Refik Kaya’s interest in classical guitar began at the age of six, with lessons Momčilo Aleksandrić from his father, Dr. Mehmet Refik Ricercare from La Compagna, Kaya. At 19, he earned a bachelor's by Francesco Canova da Milano degree from the Mimar Sinan Fine Two Movements from Sonata for Guitar, op. 47, Arts University State Conservatory in Istanbul, and won a by Alberto Ginastera scholarship from the Turkish Educational Foundation. He III. Canto IV. Finale also studied composition with the famous Turkish compos- er Mehmet Nemutlu. Kaya then pursued a master's degree Nikola Korovljev at Mannes College, The New School For Music as a full- Three Catalan Folksongs, by Miguel Llobet scholarship student, where he studied with Michael New- Invierno Porteno, by Astor Piazzolla man and Sharon Isbin. He also studied composing, arrang- Belgrade Guitar Quartet ing, and transcribing with Frederic Hand. He is only the (Milena Petković, Filip Živanović, third recipient of Harvard’s prestigious Dumbarton Oaks— Momčilo Aleksandrić, and Nikola Korovljev) Early Career Musician Fellowship. He holds the Harrington Proseta se Jovka Kumanovka, by Maja Radovanlija Fellowship at The University of Texas at Austin, studying under guitarist Adam Holzman. —Intermission— Since his concert debut as a child, Kaya has received Aleksandar Hadži-Đorđević high praise and many awards. In 2012, he was the youngest first prize winner ever in the JoAnn Falletta International Ouverture, by Johann Anton Logy (1650–1721) Guitar Concerto Competition with the Buffalo Philharmoni. Tombeau sur la Mort de M. Compte de Logy, He is one of two three-time prizewinners in the Guitar by Silvius Leopold Weiss (1687–1750) Foundation of America International Guitar Competition, Fantasie élégiaque, op. 59, by Fernando Sor (1778–1839) and a prizewinner at international guitar competitions in Andante largo Marche Funèbre Bulgaria, Greece, Austria, Turkey, and the US. In May of Unruhe and Romanze, by Johann Kaspar Mertz (1806–56) 2017 he was named “Rising Young Musician of the Year” by the Donizetti Music Classical Awards in Istanbul. Homage to Francisco Tarrega, by Štěpán Rak (b. 1945) Kaya’s first recording, Jorge Morel Guitar Music Cordoba, by Isaac Albeniz (1860–1909) (Naxos), was critically acclaimed. He has performed solo works and concertos, and has conducted masterclasses, at music festivals, world-class concert venues, and universi- Classical Guitarathon ties throughout the US and Turkey. As a concert soloist, he has collaborated with many professional orchestras and has Saturday, June 1st, 7:30 pm gained artistic recognition internationally. He has present- This year our traditional season-ending celebration ed premieres of concertos by, and worked closely with, many famous composers in the US and Turkey. will feature long-time friends and young guitarists. An avid composer, he has created more than 100 piec- Scheduled are Kris Anderson, Alan Johnston, es, including works for orchestra, solo guitar, violin, piano, 2nd Street Guitar Quartet, Jean Seils, string trio, and duos. His chamber and instrumental works Jean Seils with Sarah Hruska Olson, have been performed in the US, Turkey, South Korea, and Jeffrey Van, Daniel Volovets, and Jared Waln. Australia. His selected works were published by Les Pro- Details about the program, and bios ductions d’Oz in Canada and FD Publications in the US. of the artists, will appear in our next issue. Kaya’s program for his concert with us on April 27th includes two of his own compositions and his transcription Order tickets in advance for any of Valses poéticos by Enrique Granados, plus Koyunbaba Sundin Music Hall concert by visiting our website, by Carlos Domeniconi and several favorites by Jorge Morel
s p e c i a l s p r I n g i s s u e 2 0 1 9 3 SOCIETY NEWS AND NOTES
Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Festival
This year, the annual Mid-America Guitar Ensemble Mann Concert Hall on the U of MN campus on March Festival will take place in Minnesota 31st, with featured ensembles, as well as for the first time. Hosted by the Guitar the Festival ensemble of 80 to 100 gui- Program of the School of Music at the tarists. Among the selections to be per- University of Minnesota, and co- formed will be the premiere of a new sponsored by the Minnesota Guitar piece by Illinois-based Costa Rican gui- Society, the Festival runs from March tarist and composer Guido Sanchez- 29th through 31st. Portuguez, who will conduct the ensem- The featured guest ensemble, Tan- ble. Attendance at this concert is free to talus Quartet, will present a concert at all, including the general public. Sundin Music Hall (on the campus of For more information, please visit the Hamline University in St. Paul) on Minnesota Guitar Society website to March 30th at 7:30 pm. This concert is view the Festival brochure, which in- free for those who register for the Fes- cludes details about each day’s events tival. For non-registrants, tickets for and a registration form. this concert are $25 general admission, In addition, you can contact Maja $20 for MGS members and seniors, and Radovanlija, MGS member and guitar $10 for students. professor at the U of MN, at
Tantalus Quartet Sunday March 30th, 7:30 pm Sundin Music Hall on the campus of Hamline University, St. Paul Program will include works by Roland Dyens, Clarice Assad, Phillip Houghton, and Kristian Anderson, as well as arrangements of works by Johannes Brahms, Antonín Dvořák, and Ottorino Respighi. Tickets available on the MGS website.
Tantalus Quartet members (left to right): Stephen Mattingly, Sungmin Shin, Kristian Anderson, and Lynn McGrath.
Guitar In Our Schools New Concert Series With a grant from the Augustine Foundation for $15,500 The Showcase Concerts series will be an annual series de- we have started a new program for the MGS—Guitar In voted to presenting emerging guitarists and serving as Our Schools. We will partner with general music and guitar fundraisers for the MGS. The first two such concerts will be teachers in schools throughout the metro area to develop Sunday, April 7th (featuring Milena Petković and Nikola for-credit group guitar classes. Visiting artists for our Korovljev) and Sunday, May 5th (featuring Momčilo Sundin Music Hall concert series, and professional classi- Aleksandrić and Filip Živanović ). Both concerts will be cal guitarists from our community, will take part in perfor- at 2 pm at Dreamland Arts in St Paul. Tickets are $20, mances, workshops, and classes. The Ivanovic-Haque Duo available at the door. Seating is limited. For more infor- helped us launch this project with a visit to Ramsey Middle mation about the artists, turn to pages 6 and 7. We hope School in February. More on this in future issues. you’ll join us!
4 g u I t a r I s t SOCIETY NEWS AND NOTES
New Website Launched Not long ago, founding (and continuing!) MGS member (and original newsletter editor) Steve Haskin emailed us Our old website has been retired. A new site, with features from Austin (TX) that “I first performed with flutist Sarah requested by many members, has been launched. Same Jane Hargis my third week here, six years ago. We’ve been address, whole new look. Check it out! Renew your mem- playing together ever since. A recent performance was at bership there, buy tickets to upcoming concerts, sign up for the Elephant Room, Austin’s oldest and best jazz club. We our email-reminders list. play Brazilian standards, Jobim, Bonfe, and my music. I New Opportunities for Members have released a CD called Avenue B that has received excel- lent reviews.” To learn more about the CD and Steve’s other We’ve set up committees, chaired by members of our board projects, visit his website:
s p e c i a l s p r I n g i s s u e 2 0 1 9 5 SOCIETY NEWS AND NOTES
Milena Petković Nikola Korovljev Milena Petković was born in Prizren, Serbia. She has per- Nikola Korovljev began playing the classical guitar at age formed in Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Serbia, and the US as a 11. He finished elementary music school at the Petar soloist and chamber musician. She has received awards for Konjović School in Bečej (Serbia) and then attended classical guitar performance from the International Guitar secondary music school at the Isidor Bajić School in Novi Festival in Kyustendil (Bulgaria), the Guitar Open Festival Sad (Serbia), where he studied with Prof. Rasko Radović. in Subotica, (Serbia), and the Naissus Guitar Festival in Niš He has won first and second prizes at domestic and (Serbia). international competitions and attended master classes Petković received a Bachelor of Music in Guitar Perfor- with such eminent guitar pedagogues as Darko Karajic, mance under the guidance of Prof. Zoran Krajišnik at the Srđan Tošić, Goran Krivokapic, Vojislav Ivanovic, Zoran Academy of Arts in Novi Sad (Serbia). She holds a Per- Dukić, Marcin Dylla, Antonio Mascolo, Martin Myslivecek, former’s Diploma and Master’s Degree in Guitar Perfor- Pavel Steidl, and Anabel Montesinos. mance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana Univer- He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of sity, where she studied with Maestro Ernesto Bitetti. Arts, Faculty of Music Arts in Belgrade under the guidance Currently in her final year of doctoral studies at the Uni- of Prof. Vera Ogrizovic and is currently pursuing a master’s versity of Minnesota, School of Music, she performs as a in music in classical guitar, at the U of MN School of soloist as well as in various chamber ensembles with other Music, where he studies with Prof. Maja Radovanlija. guitarists and in duos with violin, flute, and clarinet. She has been a faculty member at the Saint Paul Con- servatory of Music and St. Joseph’s School of Music since 2017 and is working with the MGS Guitar In Our Schools program as Project Coordinator.
6 g u I t a r I s t SOCIETY NEWS AND NOTES
Momčilo Moma Aleksandrić Filip Živanović
Momčilo Aleksandrić is a Serbian guitarist currently Filip Živanović was born in Belgrade, Serbia. Since 2003, pursuing his doctorate degree at the U of MN under he has given solo recitals and performed across Europe Prof. Maja Radovanlija. Since winning first prize at the and the US, and won over 30 first prizes at national and 2018 Hong Kong Altamira International Guitar Sympo- international competitions. sium, he has received invitations to perform in China, In 2010, he enrolled at the University of Belgrade Australia, Costa Rica, Thailand, Serbia, and elsewhere. School of Music. Since 2011, he has performed with fellow As a chamber musician, Aleksandrić has performed guitarist Momčilo Aleksandrić as the Belgrade Guitar Duo. in numerous ensembles and won top prizes at the He has attended master classes with renowned classical Guitar Foundation of America Ensemble Competition guitarists such as Aniello Desiderio, Hubert Käppel, and Southern Guitar Competition as a member of the Roland Dyens, Paolo Pegoraro, and Denis Azabagić. Belgrade Guitar Duo with Filip Živanović. In 2014 he graduated with honors from the University Alongside his career as a concert performer, he has of Belgrade under Prof. Srđan Tošić, where he also earned given numerous lectures at institutions such as Florida master’s degrees in both classical guitar performance and International University, the University of Cincinnati, chamber music. He started doctoral studies in chamber the University of Indianapolis, and the Hong Kong music performance in Belgrade, and is now working on his Academy for Performing Arts. He is a teaching assistant doctorate in classical guitar performance with Prof. Maja at the University of Minnesota and a co-founder of the Radovanlija at the University of Minnesota School of Belgrade Guitar District non-profit organization. Music. Recently, he has won top prizes at a series of im- portant competitions across the US, including the International Memphis Guitar Competition in 2017, the Appalachian Guitar Festival and the Southern Guitar Festival in 2018, as well as the Schubert Club Competition in 2018. Also in 2018, with Momčilo Aleksandrić, he won first prize in the Ensemble division at the Southern Guitar Festival and third prize at the Guitar Foundation of America International Ensemble Artist Competition. In addition to his solo career, he performs as a member of several chamber ensembles (guitar duo and trio, and duos with flute, saxophone, and violin).
s p e c i a l s p r I n g i s s u e 2 0 1 9 7 Classified Ads are free to MGS members. Place ad by email to
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