The Croatian Organ Landscape

Ivan Božičević 

Thursday, June 23, 8 AM

Just across the Adriatic Sea from northern Italy lies the Central European state of Croatia. Known for its stunning vistas and picturesque seascapes, Croatia is home to a flourishing musical culture. Ivan Božičević, featured composer at this convention for his new piece "The Moonpiper," takes us on an illustrative survey of the Croatian organ landscape: its major instruments, its influential composers (both living and historic), and the cultural climate in which this important art has developed over time. Included will be a short interview with Mr. Božičević, conducted by AGO New Music Committee member Randall Harlow, allowing us insight into how this country's unique heriage has influenced the composer's output, up to and including the new work featured during this convention.

Ivan Božičevićis winner of both the 2016 AGO/Marilyn Mason Award in Organ Composition and 2014AGO/ECS Award in Choral Composition. A composer, organist, pianist, arranger and jazz musician based in Split, Croatia, Mr. Božičević's creative output encompasses three symphonies, orchestral, chamber, choir and soloistic works, as well as electronic compositions and jazz music. He runs a jazz-band, SplitMinders, whose repertoire is based on originals andarrangements of dalmatian folk songs. He is also a founding member of Split Society of New Music and its ensemble, Splithesis

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Randall Harlow is Assistant Professor of Organ and Music Theory at the University of Northern Iowa.  Striving to balance virtuoso performances with cutting-edge research scholarship, his current scholarly work focuses on empirical performance research and new applications of technology for acoustic music.He holds a doctorate from the Eastman School of Music and serves on the AGO's national New Music Committee.