In its varied program, KotorArt continuously nurtures orchestral music. This year, in addition to the symphony orchestra at the opening ceremony, the summer in Kotor and Boka is marked by performances by orchestras whose composition is based on young talents and their education during the preparation of the concert program itself. In addition to the extremely successful performances of the Festival Orchestra with young Montenegrin performers, and the Youth Orchestra of the Western Balkans, on Thursday the stage of the Church of St. The representatives and participants of Music& More SummerFest captured the spirit.
The guest festival at KotorArt, Music&More SummerFest is basically related to Trebinje, since 2018. This two-week festival, where young artists collaborate with professionals, was founded by pianist Tatjane Ranković, who herself participates in interpretations. The festival gathers pianists, string players, singers, composers and conductors and, unlike the usual master classes, learning in this environment lasts longer and mentors perform together with the participants with the aim of greater motivation.
When it comes to the performed program, one can observe certain aspects of rethinking the concept, which is somewhat noticeable in the chronology of styles, because at the beginning the compositions of classicism were performed, and then romanticism and the 20th century. Although in the dramaturgical sense there are culminations positioned in places and at the very end, the program conception as a whole has one common feature - a high level of communicability with the widest audience, because all performed compositions are not only well-known but also extremely popular.
The SummerFest Camerata string orchestra, composed of professors and the most successful participants of master workshops, performed at the beginning and end of the concert. That musical framework was filled by the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, although his popular music A little night music it was not performed in its entirety, but arias from The Marriage of Figaro i Magic flutes. Although the balance of the orchestral groups was unusual, with four cellos against three first, three second violins and two violas, the interpretations attracted great attention from the audience, especially the performance of the solo singer Ksenija Kumento. The orchestra was led by Pascal Vero, the chief conductor of the Sendai Philharmonic in Japan, who became known in the world of classical music in 1985, when he became Seiji Ozawa's assistant after winning a special prize at the International Conducting Competition in Tokyo.
The results of the work were presented by the soloists: pianist Kiril Gladkovski and the very young violinist Tien Tien Lu, while the other participants performed in different chamber ensembles. Violinist Juliet Mihai and pianist Sin Min Kim performed Spanish game from the opera Karatak life Manuela de Falje, and cellist Mladen Miloradović and pianist Tatjana Ranković work Falling Jonel Petroi. When it comes to the string quartet workshop, four artists - Džulijet Mihai, Danica Terzić, Panta Veličković and Mladen Miloradović - performed the fourth movement from Antonjin Dvoržak's American String Quartet. The concert ended with a performance by famous people Romanian games Bela Bartok and, at the very end, the stylization of Romanian folklore by Gigoras Dinik. Although the composition Hora Margsorului often serves instrumentalists, usually violinists, to compete in virtuosity, this orchestral version of Petroi did not provide dazzling virtuosity, but rhythmic uniformity and a touch of elegance certainly did.
This year, the KotorArt festival once again confirms its commitment to young talents, and through cooperation with international festivals such as Music&More SummerFest, develops a platform for their professional development and stronger interaction with the audience.
Bonus video:
