Slovene Octet
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20 Dec 2018
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18 Jul 2014
22 Aug 2014
Concerts by the Slovene Octet, pianist Bojan Gorišek, Tartini String Quartet, and Dangerous Liaisons , produced by the Slovene National Theatre Maribor, at the 65th Dubrovnik Summer Festival
Background
Slovene Octet was founded on the initiative of Slovene emigrants in the USA, who wanted – having lived in a foreign land - their Slovene consciousness to be strengthened and ennobled by native Slovene song from »the old place«. On 27th September 1951, eight male singers (Janez Lipušček, Gašper Dermota, Marij Kogoj, Božo Grošelj, Roman Petrovčič, Tone Kozlevčar, Tone Petrovčič and Artur Šulc) were chosen at a demanding audition, after a tender had been put out by Ministry of Culture in cooperation with Slovene Emigration Association. In its over 50-year-mission more than forty singers (also some notable Slovene opera singers) have participated in the Octet. The Octet artistic leaders were: Janez Bole (1951-1957), Valens Vodušek (1957-1972), Darijan Božič (1972-1974), Anton Nanut (1974-1999) and Mirko Cuderman (2000-2008).
An important milestone for Slovene Octet was the year 1991 when the entire group of singers changed. The Octet rejuvenated and started a new path, remaining faithful to the tradition. In 1996, Slovene Octet took a new road with an important reorganization of the ensemble. At that time the Octet was also legally founded and named Cultural Society Slovene Octet. Their 50th anniversary concert was composed of most known songs that brought the Octet its worldly fame.
In 1957 they were awarded The France Prešeren Prise, in 1964 A Reward of France Prešeren Foundation, 1966 A National Certificate of Merits, in 1971 the award by Society of Slovene Composers, in 1975 Drabosnjakova Award, in 1984 Orlando Di Lasso Award and in 1996 A Gold Medal of Honour and Freedom of Republic Slovenia. In 2007 a book Slovene Octet by Boris Pangerc as a cut through all the years of Octet's activity.
Programme
Beside folk and folkish songs from all over the world, Octet's repertory always consisted of a variety of Slovene and Yugoslav songs, as well as classical choir material from the renaissance to contemporary authors. It is well known that the ensemble has always learned also some special programme related to the musics of the country that was about to host them.
They have recorded an enviable number of records, cassette tapes and CDs, as well as several TV programmes and movies.
International cooperation
Slovene Octet performs at all important music festivals and its activities have brought its members to all five continents of the world. Octet held more than 5,000 concerts in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America and Australia, as well as at home - in Slovenia, and among the Slovenes of Italy and Austria. Very resounding was Octet's collaboration with famous Swedish tenor Nicolai Gedda with whom they recorded an LP. In the last year they toured England, Uruguay and Argentina.