Isidora Žebeljan

Last updated
Isidora Žebeljan
Born(1967-09-27)27 September 1967
Died29 September 2020(2020-09-29) (aged 53)
Belgrade
EraContemporary

Isidora Žebeljan (27 September 1967 – 29 September 2020) was a Serbian composer and conductor. She was a professor of composition at the Belgrade Music Academy and a Fellow of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Contents

She won many national awards for her music, among them the Stevan Mokranjac National Music Award in 2004.

Biography

Isidora Žebeljan studied composition at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade with Vlastimir Trajković (a student of Olivier Messiaen). She was Professor of Composition at the same Faculty from 2002. Her work as a composer earned her several significant awards in her country, including the Mokranjac Award in 2004. She won the New York Civitella Ranieri Foundation Fellowship in 2005. In 2006 she was elected to the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (becoming a full member in 2012) and in 2012 she was elected to the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS). In 2014 she received a Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean Award for her achievement in art.

She attracted international attention with her opera Zora D. which was commissioned by the Genesis Foundation in London. The opera, directed by David Pountney and Nicola Raab, was premiered in Amsterdam in 2003. The same production opened the 50th season of the Vienna Chamber Opera in 2003.

Isidora Žebeljan received commissions from notable institutions and festivals, such as:

She composed works for notable musical ensembles, such as the Wiener Symphoniker, The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, the Brodsky Quartet, Berlin Philharmonic Octet, Dutch Chamber Choir and London Brass. Her compositions were regularly performed throughout Europe, Israel, USA, and Asia, including the Venice Biennale, Bregenz Festival, Festival RAI Nuova Musica, City of London Festival, ISCM Festivals (Gothenburg, Wrocław), Festival Classique The Hague, Galway Arts Festival, Tallinn Summer Music Festival, WDR-Musikfest, Settembre musica Milano-Torino, Ultima Festival (Oslo), Swaledale Festival, Walled City Music Festival, Dulwich Music Festival (UK), Eilat Festival (Jerusalem), Festival Nous Sons (Barcelona), Festival L' Est (Milano), Crossing Border Festival (The Netherlands), Settimana Musicale Senese, Musical Biennale Zagreb, BEMUS (Belgrade), etc. Among the ensembles and musicians who performed music of Isidora Žebeljan are the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of RAI Torino, Real Filharmonía de Galicia, Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, I Solisti Veneti, Neue Philharmonie Westfalen, No Borders Orchestra, Lutosławski Quartet, Nieuw Ensemble (Amsterdam), Zagros Ensemble (Helsinki), ensemble Sentieri Selvaggi (Milan), conductors Paul Daniel, Claudio Scimone, David Porcelijn, Christoph Poppen, Pierre-André Valade, pianists Kyoko Hashimoto and Aleksandar Madžar, hornist Stefan Dohr, clarinetists Joan Enric Lluna and Alessandro Carbonare, violinist Daniel Rowland and others.

Isidora Žebeljan was also one of the most prominent Serbian contemporary composers of theater and film music. She has composed music for more than thirty theater productions in Serbia, Norway, Croatia, and Montenegro. For her work in the field of theater music she was awarded the Sterija Award three times. She was also awarded the Yustat Biennial of Stage Design Award for best theatre music four times. In addition, Isidora Žebeljan worked on a number of film scores, including the orchestration of Goran Bregović's music for the films Time of the Gypsies , Arizona Dream and Underground (directed by Emir Kusturica), La Reine Margot (directed by Patrice Chéreau) and The Serpent's Kiss (directed by Philippe Rousselot). She composed the music for Miloš Radivojević's film How I was Stolen by the Germans. For this score she was awarded the Prize of the Film Festival in Sopot in 2011 (Serbia) and the FIPRESCI Prize of the Serbian Film Association in 2012.

Isidora Žebeljan also regularly appeared as a performer (conductor and pianist) of her own works and the works by other, mainly Serbian composers. She conducted concerts in London (with The Academy of St Martin in the Fields) and in Amsterdam (Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ), and performed as a pianist with the Brodsky Quartet.

In 2017, Isidora Žebeljan signed the Declaration on the Common Language of the Croats, Serbs, Bosniaks and Montenegrins. [1]

She died on 29 September 2020 in Belgrade, Serbia. [2] [3]

Recordings

In 2012, the German CD label Classic Produktion Osnabrück (CPO) released a CD with her orchestral music, performed by the Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, Žebeljan Orchestra and conductor David Porcelijn (CPO 7776702). In 2015 the same label released a CD with her chamber music for strings, played by the Brodsky Quartet (CPO 777994-2). In 2013 the CD label Oboe Classics from London released a CD Balkan Bolero with her chamber music for winds (11 compositions). Other CD's with music of Isidora Žebeljan were released by the CD labels Deutsche Grammophon (The Horses of Saint Mark by No Borders Orchestra), Chandos Records (UK), Mascom Records (Serbia), Acousense (Germany), etc.

Reception

Describing Žebeljan's music, David Pountney wrote:

When I was trawling through the entries for the Genesis Opera Prizes 1, amidst an absolute welter of indistinguishable representatives of what one might call 'academic modernism', Isidora Zebeljan's music struck me immediately as something original, fresh, and above all emotionally expressive – a rare commodity, but an essential one for interesting theatrical story telling.

From the booklet for the opening of the 50th season of the Vienna Chamber Opera.

Music

The exclusive publisher of her music is Ricordi-Universal. [4]

Compositions

2003–2017

List
  • *SALMO 78 (PSALM 78), for mixed choir, 2017. [5]
  • *THREE CURIOUS LOVES, concerto for violin and chamber orchestra, 2017. [6]
  • *PIPE AND FLAMINGOS, concerto for clarinet and orchestra, 2016/17.
  • *IN THE INN, a minstrel dance for oboe, accordion, double bass and percussion, 2005/16.
  • *DOPPLER, Forest song for reed (leave), oboe, tuba, double bass, piano and electronics, 2016.
  • *NEEDLE SOUP, Surrealistic fairy-tale for octet (clarinet, horn, bassoon, string quartet and double bass), 2013/15. [7]
  • *SIMON THE FOUNDLING, opera with Prologue and three Acts (10 scenes), 2013/15.
  • *LEDA, suite from incidental music for the play by Miroslav Krleža, for cor anglais (or saxophone), violin, accordion (or piano), double bass and percussion, 2001/15.
  • *SARABANDE, for clarinet, violin and piano, 2001/14.
  • *TEARS ARE O. K, diptych from incidental music for the play by Mirjana Bobić Mojsilović, for soprano, cor anglais, violin, accordion (or piano) and double bass, 1999/2014.
  • *FELISIYA, a Love Song for flute and harp (or piano), 2002/14.
  • *HUM AWAY, STRINGS!, Song and Dance for violin and piano (with the Magic Flute in the background), 2014.
  • *SARABANDE, for flute, cello and piano, 2014.
  • *THE MIRACLE IN SHARGAN, Song for solo accordion, 2002/13.
  • *SARABANDE, for piano trio, 2001/13.
  • *HUM AWAY, HUM AWAY, STRINGS, Methamorphosis to themes from Mozart's opera 'Magic Flute', for symphony orchestra, 2013.
  • *NEW SONGS OF LADA WITHOUT WORDS, for oboe, cor anglais, and oboe d'amore (ad libitum) and accordion, 2006/13. [8]
  • *NEW SONGS OF LADA, for soprano and accordion, 2006/13.
  • *TWO SONGS OF THE BRIDE OF THE WIND, from incidental music after Slobodan Šnajder, for cor anglais, (female voice ad libitum), accordion and double bass, 2003/13.
  • *NEW SONGS OF LADA WITHOUT WORDS, for oboe, cor anglais, oboe d'amore (ad libitum) and string orchestra, 2006/13.
  • *THE MOUSETRAP, diptych from incidental music for the play by Agatha Christie, for cor anglais, violin and piano, 1995/2013.
  • *SIMON AND ANNE, Hymn, Psalm and Réjouissance for cor anglais and piano, 2012/13.
  • *DANCE OF THE WOODEN STICKS, for cor anglais and string orchestra, 2008/13.
  • *SARABANDE, for string orchestra, 2001/13.
  • *WHEN GOD CREATED DUBROVNIK, Song for Mezzo-Soprano and String Quartet, 2012.
  • *TWO HEADS AND A GIRL (DUE TESTE E UNA RAGAZZA), Opera in one act (5 scenes), 2012.
  • *SIMON AND ANNE, Hymn, Psalm and Réjouissance for cello and piano, 2012.
  • *SARABANDE, for viola, cello and harp, 2001/12.
  • *NEW SONGS OF LADA, for soprano and string quartet, 2006/11.
  • *THE TEMPEST, suite from incidental music after Shakespeare for soprano, flute (ad libitum), oboe (ad libitum), clarinet, violin, cello, double bass, piano and percussion, 2001/11.
  • *JEGOR'S ROAD, suite from incidental music after Vida Ognjenović, for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, piano and double bass, 2000/11.
  • *LEONCE AND LENA, suite from incidental music after Büchner for soprano, flute, oboe, viola, double bass, piano and percussion, 1998/2011.
  • *THE DAMNED YARD, diptych from incidental music for the play based on the novel by Ivo Andrić, for soprano, clarinet, violin, piano, double bass and narrator (ad libitum), 1999/2011.
  • *OH, DIE, MY LOVE, Song for violin, female voice (ad libitum) and piano, 2011.
  • *JESUS, HEAL MY WOUNDS, a prayer for female voice and piano, 2010.
  • *SIMON THE CHOSEN (SIMON DER ERWÄHLTE), Opera in one act (5 scenes), 2009.
  • *POLOMKA QUARTET, for string quartet, 2009/11.
  • *LATUM LALO, for mixed choir (12 voices), 2008.
  • *DANCE OF THE WOODEN STICKS, for horn and string orchestra (or string quintet), 2008 (2011).
  • *THE MARATHON (EINE MARATHON FAMILIE), Opera in one act (14 scenes), 2007/8.
  • *SARABANDE, for alt-flute, viola and harp, 2001/7.
  • *DARK VELVET, in Memory of Gustav Mahler, for piano, 2006.
  • *NEW SONGS OF LADA, for soprano and string orchestra, 2006.
  • *THE MIRACLE IN SHARGAN, song for oboe and piano (or accordion), 2002/5 (2012).
  • *SARABANDE, for piano, 2001/5.
  • *GHOST FROM THE PUMPKIN, Incantation for brass quintet, 2005.
  • *ARIA OF OLD VIDA, from the opera Zora D, for mezzo-soprano and harp, 2003/5.
  • *THE MINSTREL'S DANCE, for chamber orchestra, 2005.
  • *THE HORSES OF SAINT MARK, Illumination for symphony orchestra, 2004.
  • *THE MIRACLE IN SHARGAN, song for oboe and violin (or viola), 2003.
  • *SONG OF A TRAVELLER IN THE NIGHT, for clarinet and string quartet, 2003.
  • *ZORA D, Opera in one act (7 scenes), 2002/3.
  • *GIROTONDO, for oboe, piano, double bass and percussion, 2003.

1993–2002

List
  • *THREE GOAT'S EARS, Suite for oboe, violin and piano (or string orchestra), 2002 (2011).
  • *THE MIRACLE IN SHARGAN, Song for oboe solo, 2002.
  • *SARABANDE, for cor anglais, violin and piano, 2002.
  • *SARABANDE, for flute, soprano voice and piano, 2001.
  • *RUKOVETI, five songs for soprano voice piano, 1999.
  • *RUKOVETI, five songs for soprano voice and orchestra, 1999/2000.
  • *THREE PIECES FOR GUITAR, 1999.
  • *ARNOLF'S SONG, from incidental music for the play 'The School for Wives' by Molière, for countertenor, viola (ad libitum), double bass and piano, 1998.
  • *GIROTONDO, for two saxophones, piano, percussion and double bass, 1994.
  • *GIROTONDO, for alto saxophone, piano, double bass and darbucca, 1994.
  • *CHORAL, for three voices and double bass (or vocal quartet), 1994.
  • *IL CIRCO, Sketch for piano, 1993.

1985–1992

List
  • *ESCENAS PICARAS – sinfonia in tre movimenti, for symphony orchestra, 1990/2.
  • *A YAWL ON THE DANUBE, Scene for soprano, piano, percussion and string quartet, 1991.
  • *SONG FOR BARON MÜHNHAUSEN, for polynstrumentalist, 1989.
  • *PEP IT UP, Fantasy for soprano voice, piano, percussion and string quintet, 1988.
  • *UMBRA, for piano, 1987.
  • *SELIŠTE (DESERTED VILLAGE), Elegy for string orchestra, 1987.
  • *GLORY, Picture for female choir (42 voices), 1987.
  • *SONATA FOR VIOLIN AND PIANO, 1986.
  • *STORY, Song for baritone (or mezzo-soprano) and piano, 1986.
  • *FRONTIRESMAN'S SONG, 1985.
  • *SUITE FOR PIANO, 1985.
  • *CHAGRIN DU HERO, for mixed choir, 1985.

Incidental music

Film scores

Discography

Significant works

Awards

References

  1. "Signatories of the Declaration on the Common Language". official website. Retrieved 2018-08-16.
  2. "Preminula Isidora Žebeljan" [Isidora Žebeljan passed away]. Blic.rs (in Serbian). 29 September 2020. Retrieved 2020-09-29.
  3. "Serbische Komponistin Isidora Žebeljan gestorben" [Serbian composer Isidora Žebeljan has died]. NMZ. 2020-09-25. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  4. "Zebeljan, Isidora". ricordi.com. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  5. Joshua Barone (2017-10-31). "Hear 9 New Psalm Settings for Challenging Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
  6. "Isidora Zebeljan: Violin Concerto 'Three Curious Loves', world premiere performance". YouTube. 28 Jan 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  7. "ENSEMBLE CONTEMPORAIN DE MONTRÉAL (ECM+)& TURNING POINT ENSEMBLE MONDAY, 6 NOV 2017" (PDF). iscm2017.ca. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  8. "Concerto di Primavera dei Solisti Veneti 2016 SONGS OF LADA performance by I Solisti Veneti". padovacultura.padovanet.it. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  9. "Isidora Zebeljan: Chamber Music Release Date: 27th Nov 2015, Catalogue No: 7779942". prestomusic.com. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  10. "Isidora Žebeljan najmlađi akademik" [Isidora Žebeljan the youngest academic]. Dnevne novine *Blic. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 17 April 2011.