Saturday August 24 2024
St Michael’s Chapel at 8 PM
Free entry!
BIOGRAPHY
Danica Škreblin was born in Zagreb in 2003. She is a student at the Kunstuniversität Graz, studying under professors Łukasz Kuropaczewski and Paolo Pegoraro. She began her education at the Blagoje Bersa Music School under the guidance of Professor Tomislav Vasilj. Throughout her primary and secondary education, she achieved numerous outstanding results. She has won over 20 awards, including first prizes at international guitar competitions such as Porečfest (2018 and 2019), Zagreb Guitar Festival (2018 and 2019), and IGC Ida Presti (2018 and 2020).
This year’s achievements for Danica started with performances in the finals of major competitions in non-age categories, where she was often the youngest contestant. In March of this year, she won the Audience Award at the IGC Ida Presti in Samobor, followed by first prize at the Sarajevo Guitar Festival and second prize at the Guitar Art Festival in Belgrade. Her most recent success came in Spain at the 27th International José Tomás Competition in Petrer, where she won second prize. It is also worth mentioning the Professor Baltazar awards that she received from the City of Zagreb in 2019 and 2021. In June 2021, she gave a solo recital at the Lauba Gallery in Zagreb, and in February 2022, she performed at the Church of St. Jerome as part of the St. Jerome Chamber Music Festival. She also appeared on the TV show Good Morning Croatia.
During her education, Danica refined her skills at masterclasses with renowned guitar pedagogues such as Zoran Dukić, Petrit Çeku, Tomislav Vukšić, Xhevdet Sahatxhija, Krešimir Bedek, Gabriel Bianco, Anabel Montesinos, and Rafael Aguirre.
Danica has been involved with Youngmasters for several years as a participant in masterclasses and as a performer, and last year she also served as a member of the organizational team.
Tonight’s recital follows her Audience Award from the IGC Ida Presti and the exceptional viewership of her performance on the competition’s YouTube channel.
PROGRAM
F. Sor (1778-1839): Introduction and Variations on the theme “Marlborough s’en va-t-en guerre,” Op. 28
M.M. Ponce (1882-1948): Sonatina
- I. Allegro non troppo
- II. Andante
- III. Vivace
M. Ohana (1913-1992): Tiento
I. Albéniz (1860-1909): Evocacíon
F. M. Torroba (1892.1982): Seguidilla, Arada, Fandanguillo, Torija
I. Albéniz: Sevilla
About the Composers and Works
Fernando Sor (1778-1839) was a prominent classical guitarist and composer, known for his significant contribution to the classical guitar repertoire. His works, such as études and sonatas, are still frequently performed today. Sor’s music is characterized by melodic beauty, complex harmony, and technical challenges. The “Introduction and Variations on the theme ‘Marlborough s’en va-t-en guerre'” are based on a French folk song that Sor creatively alters through a series of variations. Each variation showcases Sor’s skillful manipulation of the theme, using different techniques, harmonies, and textures to create a diverse and engaging musical journey. This piece is a testament to Sor’s compositional prowess and his ability to transform a simple melody into a beautiful guitar composition.
Manuel Maria Ponce (1882-1948) was a Mexican composer and pianist who made a significant contribution to the classical guitar repertoire with his compositions. He was a close friend of the Spanish guitarist Andrés Segovia, and together they created many masterpieces that are still widely performed today. One of his well-known works is the Sonatina, popularly known as Sonatina Meridional, which is fundamentally inspired by Spanish folk songs collected by Andrés Segovia and sent to the composer as material for a new composition. According to Segovia, the first movement is called Campo (Field), the second Copla (Song), and the third Fiesta (Celebration).
Maurice Ohana (1913-1992) was a French composer of Spanish descent known for his innovative and avant-garde compositional style, characterized by a blend of diverse influences, including elements of Spanish, North African, and contemporary classical music. He experimented with these elements to create a unique and expressive musical language. One of Ohana’s significant works is Tiento, a composition for solo guitar inspired by the traditional Spanish flamenco form of the same name. Tiento reflects Ohana’s fascination with flamenco, particularly cante jondo, a style of singing often associated with deep, painful, and melancholic themes.
Federico Moreno Torroba (1891-1982) was a Spanish composer and conductor known for his significant contributions to the genre of Spanish classical music, particularly in the field of zarzuela, a form of Spanish operetta. He is also renowned for his works for the guitar—his concertos, sonatas, and solo pieces have become staples of the classical guitar repertoire. Torroba’s compositions often incorporate elements of Spanish folk music and dance forms. For instance, Fandanguillo and Seguidilla are inspired by the Spanish dances of the same names, while Arada and Torija are short vocal-like pieces.
Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909) was a Spanish pianist and composer and one of the key figures in the development of the Spanish classical music genre. Albéniz’s music reflects the rich cultural heritage of Spain, incorporating elements of Spanish folk music. He is best known for his piano works, particularly his suite Iberia and Suite española. Through these works, Albéniz demonstrates his ability to evoke the landscapes and traditions of Spain through music. Evocación is the first movement of the first book of the Iberia suite and captures the essence of Spanish music with its passionate and evocative nature. Sevilla, part of the Suite española, is inspired by the city of the same name and the flamenco dance Sevillanas, embodying the lively spirit of the sunny Andalusian city and transporting us to the vibrant landscapes and cultural heritage of the Iberian Peninsula.
