Music Slovenia - A Selection of Contemporary Compositions for Orchestra and Ensembles
The new compilation of contemporary classical ensemble and orchestral music presents a selection of works by the younger generation of Slovenian composers. It follows Klasika, Vol. 1 (2015) and Klasika, Vol. 2 (2018), which featured key orchestral works of the 20th century.
In this edition we focus on works by younger Slovenian composers, including Matej Bonin, Larisa Vrhunc, Nina Šenk, Vito Žuraj, Petra Strahovnik, Neville Hall and Urška Pompe. The selection of composers, compositions, and recordings was curated by Gregor Pompe PhD, who also wrote an extensive accompanying text. In the introduction, he states:
"Judging by the results of composition competitions (Petra Strahovnik won the 66th Rostrum Composers’ Tribune in 2019; at the same competition in 2015, Matej Bonin’s work Cancro was selected in the under-30 category, and in 2024, Matic Romih’s work was chosen in the same category. Additionally, two compositions by Vito Žuraj, as well as works by Larisa Vrhunc and Neville Hall, were among the recommended pieces at Rostrum) and by performances with prestigious world symphony orchestras (the Berlin Philharmonic has performed works by Vito Žuraj and Nina Šenk; the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam and the New York Philharmonic have performed compositions by Nina Šenk; Žuraj’s pieces have also been played by numerous outstanding German orchestras, and both composers have had their operas premiered abroad in recent years), as well as by leading contemporary music ensembles, we can confidently say that at the beginning of the 21st century, Slovenia has become a global powerhouse in composition."
This project was carried out in co-production with ZKP RTV Slovenija, which ensured high-quality mastering of the recordings.
The recordings feature performances by the Forum New Music Ensemble, Ensemble Neofonía, Ensemble Modern, Norrbotten NEO Ensemble, Ives Ensemble, the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, Slowind Wind Quintet, RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, Slagwerk den Haag and Trio Tempestoso. Conductors are Bengt Tommy Andersson, Marco Angius, Johannes Kalitzke, Lucie Leguay, Steven Loy, Edo Mičić, Rossen Milanov, George Pehlivanian and En Shao.
The compilation, released as a double album, is available exclusively in digital format on streaming platforms. A physical edition is available as a single CD with a streaming code providing access to the full compilation. The project is fundamentally non-profit and serves promotional purposes. The physical package is intended for use at music fairs and other industry events.