Recitals of prominent artists at KotorArt
Rachmaninoff, Ravel and Gekić
This summer, during the 23rd KotorArt Don Branko’s Music Days, distinguished international soloists will take the stage: pianists Andrey Gugnin, Aleksandar Madžar, and Kemal Gekić, along with cellist Dragan Đorđević.
The concert, titled Eternal Rachmaninoff is set for July 15. Esteemed cellist and cherished guest of the festival, Dragan Đorđević, also known as Suzuki, will perform with renowned pianist Andrey Gugnin. As the concert’s title implies, the audience will have the opportunity to enjoy the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff, the distinctive composer, pianist, and conductor of the 20th century. In addition to his famous Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 19, these two accomplished artists will also perform works by Beethoven and Schumann.
According to press descriptions and critics’ reviews, Dragan Đorđević is considered one of the most original artistic personalities of his generation. As a soloist and chamber musician, he has performed in America, China, Russia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Korea, Austria, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, France, and many other countries. He is a full professor at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade. Since 2019, Dragan Đorđević has held the position of artistic director at the Ravanelius Festival of Musical Exceptionality. He plays the cello made by James and Henry Banks in 1797.
Andrey Gugnin, a pianist who achieved international fame at a young age, is hailed by critics as one of the most thrilling pianists of his generation. Since his triumph at the prestigious international piano competition in Sydney in 2016, Gugnin has given numerous solo performances and recordings, each showcasing his passionate interpretations. This year, Gugnin won first prize at the International Piano Competition in Dubai with his performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30.
The festival also hosts two exceptional piano recitals.
On Tuesday, July 30, at the concert titled Madžar Plays Ravel, renowned pianist Aleksandar Madžar will interpret compositions by the French impressionist composer, Maurice Ravel. Since his debut with the Berlin Philharmonic and Iván Fischer in 1990, he has been a regular performer across Europe and the world, enjoying a diverse career encompassing solo and chamber concerts. He holds teaching positions at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hamburg.
A highlight of this year’s festival is the world premiere of compositions by Gekić performed by the pianist himself. The concert titled Gekić Plays Gekić is scheduled for August 12.
Kemal Gekić, an exclusive Steinway artist and a lifelong member of the American Liszt Society, is one of the most prominent pianists of his generation, is recognized for his original approach to musical interpretation, his unique artistry, and his technical perfection, his performances often provocative and intriguing. He regularly permorms worldwide and serves as a jury member at numerous international piano competitions. His recording for JVC featuring Liszt’s Transcendental Etudes is widely considered to be the best recording of this set in the history of pianism. Kemal Gekić is Professor at Florida International University in Miami (USA) and a visiting professor at numerous universities and academies around the world.
All the recitals will take place at the Church of the Holy Spirit at 9 p.m.
Tickets for the concerts will soon be available for purchase through the GigsTix network, both online and at selected Tobacco S Press kiosks throughout Montenegro.
