Founded in 1961, the Music Biennale Zagreb is a contemporary art music festival based in Croatia’s capital city, featuring a mixture of new, commissioned works, and not just in concert: it includes educational programs for all ages, events in schools, galleries, and in public spaces, and bills itself as an “incubator of musical poetics, attempts, and excesses”. Since Austria is practically next door and its music scene is nothing if not adventurous, it’s fitting that a slew of them will be featured at this year’s festival, happening from April 13 – 22. Look no further: here is your exclusive guide to Austrian artists at this year’s Music Biennale Zagreb.
olga Neuwirth
One of Austria’s most prominent contemporary composers will be a composer-in-residence at the festival, including an artist talk and performances of her works.
Neuwirth at the festival:
- Friday, April 14, 7:30pm, Lauba – artist talk
- Monday, April 17th, 8pm, Pogon Jedinstvo – performance by Cantus Ensemble
- Friday, April 21st, 5:30pm, Lisinski Concert Hall – performance by Klangforum Wien
- Friday, April 21st, 7:30pm, Lisinski Concert Hall – performance by Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra
Paul Skrepek and Andreas Platzer – Die Maschine
Is it comedy? Music? Social commentary? Regardless, Skrepek and Platzer’s installation/performance promises to be a unique experience.
Performances:
Manuela Kerer
Performance of the composer’s work Bestie Infernali! by Trio Eusebius:
Klangforum Wien
Austria’s premier contemporary art music ensemble will be the ensemble-in-residence at this year’s festival.
Performances:
- Sunday, April 16th, 9pm, Zagreb Youth Theater (preceded by an artist talk at 8pm)
- Friday, April 21st, 5:30pm, Lisinski Concert Hall
“Musical portraits” of Klangforum Wien members on the Močvara Club terrace:
- Monday, April 17, 7:15pm – Bernhard Zachhuber
- Tuesday, April 18, 7:15pm – Annette Bik
- Wednesday, April 19th, 7:15pm – Dimitrios Polisoidis
- Thursday, April 20th, 6pm – Lukas Schiske and Benedikt Leitner
Clemens Gadenstätter
The composer will also be a featured guest at the Biennale.
Gadenstätter at the festival:
- Monday, April 17th, 6pm, Močvara Club terrace – artist talk
- Monday, April 17th, 8pm, Pogon Jedinstvo – performance by Cantus Ensemble
- Friday, April 21st, 5:30pm, Lisinski Concert Hall – performance by Klangforum Wien
BZSS Impro-Jazz Quartet
Thomas Berghammer (trumpet), Martin Zrost (saxophone), Paul Skrepek (percussion), Oliver Steger (double bass)
IRK Performing Reflection
Featuring: Christine Gnigler (recorder), Thomas Grill (electronics)
- Monday, April 17th, 3pm, Močvara Club – interactive rehearsal
- Tuesday, April 18th, 8pm, Močvara Club – interactive rehearsal
- Wednesday, April 19th, 10pm, Močvara Club – concert performance