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Mit - UVK_Sinfo_2008_02February4 - Index

CuLtuRaLtrails
The new institution, the financing of which was completely taken
care of by Slovenian government − which via the Ministry
of Culture is still done today − therefore had its own symphony
orchestra, which was composed mainly of musicians from Radio
Ljubljana, a mixed choir; the permanent conductors were Jakov
Cipci and Samo Hubad.
The first concert of the revived Slovenian Philharmonic was on
13 January 1948, and Spanish conductor Salvador Bacarisse and
pianist Roger Machado appeared as guests. Only works by Spanish
composers were on the programme. Soon, more new concerts
followed, so numerous that it is difficult to believe these
statistical data today: in six months of operating, the Slovenian
Philharmonic organised 236 musical events, of which 86 were in
Ljubljana and 150 around Slovenia; of these, 35 were orchestral
concerts, 6 vocal-instrumental, 44 vocal, and 13 concerts with a
mixed programme etc. The orchestra played Mozart, Beethoven,
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Grieg, Dvorˇák, Strauss, Schubert, Smetana and others. They also
began to include more works by Slovenian composers.
One success followed another, but also numerous reorganisations
happened, as separate units became independent, such as
the string quartet or the concert agency, while some choruses
or groups were dismissed. The choir of the Slovenian Philharmonic
was active until 1976, and various chamber groups arose
from the symphonic orchestra. Throughout the years, there were
numerous managers, art directors and conductors. The orchestra
became, as the central Slovenian orchestra, important and
reputable also in European terms. Its cast of 100 members is
distinguished by the harmony between the strings, brass and
woodwind instruments; all members of the orchestra are highly
trained and disciplined. The orchestra often performs abroad − it
has performed in almost all European countries and twice toured
the United States.
THE PHILHARMONIC DURINg THE EU
PRESIDENCy
In the last three years, the orchestra of the Slovenian Philharmonic
has been conducted by American conductor George Pehlivanian,
and under his guidance they have achieved enviable artistic
development and successfully performed in numerous respected
European concert halls, as well as in Japan. Also, in the year of
Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, numerous
concerts have been arranged in several European countries.
They are most delighted about the concert on 12 March in
the Palace of Fine Arts in Brussels. They will perform Mahler's 2nd
symphony ‘Resurrection’, and concert soloists Marjana Lipovšek
and Sabina Cvilak will join them. As part of this year’s anniversary
celebrations, the Slovenian Philharmonic will also perform in
Hungary, Slovakia, in Cannes, Vienna, Zagreb and elsewhere.