Concert on the 17th of July, 2015
with
Boris Bizjak, flute
Marko Zupan, flute
Zhibai Zhang, bassoon
Pavao Mašić, harpsichord
Boris Bizjak (Slovenia)
London-based Slovenian flautist Boris Bizjak graduated from the ENMP “Alfred Cortot” in Paris, where he obtained the “Diplôme Supérieur de Concertiste” guided by renowned French flautist Pierre Yves Artaud (CNSMDP).
Throughout his studies Boris won number of classical flute competitions – he is a 1st prizewinner of the International Flute Competition in Picardie, France. Three times 1st prizewinner of the Slovenian National Flute Competition and twice prizewinner of the Slovenian National Chamber Music Competition.
Boris was granted a number of concerts as the young Slovenian music artist winner as well as a scholarship for postgraduate studies abroad by the Slovenian Ministry of Culture.
He has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Slovenia, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Cyprus, Croatia, Serbia, The Netherlands and China in halls such as the Beijing Concert Hall, Konzerthaus Berlin, Lisinski Concert Hall in Zagreb, Slovenian Philharmonic Hall and Gallus Hall in Cankarjev Dom.
His performances are broadcast by classical radio worldwide in North America, South America, Asia, Australia / New Zealand / South Africa & Europe.
He is currently actively performing as a soloist and a chamber musician. His recent performance with British pianist Simon Lane at 62. Ljubljana Festival was publicly and critically acclaimed. Recent collaboration as a soloist with orchestra includes City of London Chamber Orchestra, London Euphonia Orchestra, Solisti Divini and Slovenian Philharmonic String Ensemble.
The newest CD release with flutist Marko Zupan and pianist Yoko Misumi, “Music for two Flutes and Piano” of classical and romantic era, features
a world premiere recording of a romantic masterpiece by Johannes Frederik Frohlich – Duet in C minor and a new arrangement of W. A. Mozart’s Sonata for two pianos in D Major K. 448 / 375a.
Boris is also founder of Hedone Records and cofounder of Blackheath International Chamber Music Festival.
Marko Zupan (Slovenia)
Marko Zupan was born in Zagorje, Slovenija. After the studies in his homeland he was granted a scholarship by the Slovenian Ministry of Culture to proceed his studies in Paris with prof. Pierre- Yves Artaud and later in Salzburg with prof. Irena Grafenauer. He perfected his knowledge in numerous masterclasses with world renowned flutists like Aurele Nicolet, Peter-Lukas Graf and Emmanuel Pahud. In this time he has won many prizes at the slovenian national competitions and also at the international music competitions (Trieste, Picardie, Belgrad, Braunschweig). In the year 2008 he became solo flutist in the Sudetian Philharmonic and a year later in the Philharmonic orchestra of Brandenburg state theatre in Cottbus. Since 2009 he is living and working as a freelance artist in Berlin. Playing as a solo flutist with Berliner Symphoniker, Philharmonia of the nations, Neues Kammerorchester Potsdam or Evian festival orchestra, member of different chamber music ensembles, soloist in recitals or with orchestra, he gave concerts in USA, Japan, China, Vietnam, Alegeria and throughout Europe. Recently he recorded two CD’s, one with Trio Susak(flute, saxophone, piano) and the other with flutist Boris Bizjak and pianist Yoko Misumi, featuring music for two flutes and piano.
Since october 2010 he is assistant professor at the Academy of music in Split, Croatia. In 2013 he published Flute orchestral excerpts arranged for flute quartet with the Svitzer editions, a pedagogical method to help mastering soloflute orchestral repertoire. As a part of his pedagogical activities, he is also giving a masterclass in Kaštela, Croatia.
He is founder and artistic director of International Music Festival “Ursus”.
Zhibai Zhang (China)
Zhibai Zhang was born in Liaoning, China. At the age of fifteen he moved to Austria to study bassoon with prof. Richard Galler at Mozartem, Salzburg. He continued his studies at Hochschule für Musik ´Franz Liszt´ Weimar with prof. Frank Forst. He graduated with excellence and continued his studies on Konzertexam. In this time he became member of Zagreb philharmonic orchestra.
He is prizewinner of International Mozart competition in Roveretto, Italy and Intermusica competition in Birkfeld, Austria. As result of this prizes he had a chance to play as a soloist with Haydn orchestra in Trento and with Zagreb philharmonic orchestra.
Since 2013 he is associate principal bassoonist with Kymi Sinfonietta in Finland. He plays as guest with Mozarteum orchester Salzburg ,Icelandic Symphony Orchestra, Dala Sinfoniettan Sweden,.. He played under famous conductors such as Dmitrij Kitajenko, Valery Gergiev, Sir Neville Marriner, Jesús López Cobos and Dennis Russell Davies.
Pavao Mašić (Croatia)
Pavao Mašić, winner of The Grand Prix Bach and Audience Prize at 2006 Bach Organ Competition in Lausanne actively pursues successful career of concert organist and harpsichordist. Since 1999, he has been the Main Organist at the Church of St. Mark in Zagreb, continuing a rich tradition of organ playing at St. Mark’s that dates back to 1359. Furthermore, he is Assistant Professor at Zagreb Academy of Music where he teaches new generations of organists and harpsichordists. After organ & harpsichord studies at Zagreb Academy of Music, he pursued further organ studies in Lausanne (Kei Koito) and harpsichord studies in Freiburg im Breisgau (Robert Hill). He received additional impulses from D. Roth, L. F. Tagliavini, Ch. Bossert, E. Lebrun, T. Koopman & B. K. Bryndorf. He often appears in recitals and with orchestra performing at important concert venues throughout Europe and Russia (Moscow, Sankt Petersburg, Basel, Lausanne, Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Freiburg, Zaragoza, Porto). More on projects, awards & discography at www.pavaomasic.com.
