The Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra ( Croatian: ''Zagrebačka filharmonija'') is an

orchestra An orchestra (; ) is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which combines instruments from different families. There are typically four main sections of instruments: * bowed string instruments, such as the violin, viola, c ...

based in

Zagreb Zagreb ( , , , ) is the capital and largest city of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb stands near the international border between Croatia and Slov ...

Croatia , image_flag = Flag of Croatia.svg , image_coat = Coat of arms of Croatia.svg , anthem = "Lijepa naša domovino"("Our Beautiful Homeland") , image_map = , map_caption = , capit ...

. It was officially founded on the 30 November 1919.

History

The origins of the orchestra can be found in the opera ensemble of Zagreb's national theatre. In the 19th century, musical ensembles in Zagreb were mostly unorganized, until in 1870,

Ivan Zajc Ivan Zajc (also hr, Ivan plemeniti Zajc, it, Giovanni de Zaytz; ; August 3, 1832 – December 16, 1914), was a Croatian composer, conductor, director, and teacher who dominated Croatia's musical culture for over forty years. Through his ar ...

established an ensemble for the national theatre. He organised and conducted a professional concert on the 25 February 1871, in Stanković's theatre (the present-day building of the

Zagreb Assembly The City Assembly of the City of Zagreb is the lawmaking body of the Croatian capital of Zagreb. It consists of 47 members who were elected by universal suffrage and secret ballot at 2017 elections for a term of four years. The assembly meets a ...

). The orchestra performed a

Quodlibet A quodlibet (; Latin for "whatever you wish" from '' quod'', "what" and '' libet'', "pleases") is a musical composition that combines several different melodies—usually popular tunes—in counterpoint, and often in a light-hearted, humorous m ...

, a style of composition where melodies and motifs from a range of pieces would be combined into a single performance. A symphony in 1916 marked a historical performance in Zagreb's musical history. The symphony of young Croatian composers ( Croatian: ''Simfonijski koncert mladih hrvatskih skladatelj''a) showcased a wide range of composers from the country, including

Dora Pejačević Countess Maria Theodora Paulina (Dora) Pejačević ( hu, Gróf verőczei Pejácsevich Mária Theodóra Paulina "Dóra", link=no, 10 September 1885 – 5 March 1923) was a Croatian composer and a member of the Pejačević noble family. She wa ...

. They played at the Croatian National Theatre. After WWI, significant changes were brought to how Zagreb's musical ensembles were organised. In 1919, at the encouragement of violinist Dragutin Arany, the Filharmonic Orchestra was officially founded by some musicians of the opera ensemble. The name changed to Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra on the 3rd of October, 1920.

Discography

Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classic ...

, Violin concerto in D major, conducted by

Milan Horvat Milan ( , , Lombard: ; it, Milano ) is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of about 1.4 million, while its metropolitan city h ...

and Ivan Ozim *Beethoven, Symphony No. 2, Symphony No. 5, conducted by Richard Edlinger *Beethoven, Symphony No. 4, Symphony No. 7 *Beethoven, Symphony No. 8, conducted by Richard Edlinger and Michael Halász *Beethoven, Symphony No. 9 * Janáček, Sinfonietta, conducted by Lovro Matačić * Keleman, Piano concerto, with Melita Lorković on piano * Mozart, Piano Concerto no. 27, with conductor Mladen Bašić *

Prokofiev Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev; alternative transliterations of his name include ''Sergey'' or ''Serge'', and ''Prokofief'', ''Prokofieff'', or ''Prokofyev''., group=n (27 April .S. 15 April1891 – 5 March 1953) was a Russian composer, p ...

: Symphony No. 1 *

Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov . At the time, his name was spelled Николай Андреевичъ Римскій-Корсаковъ. la, Nicolaus Andreae filius Rimskij-Korsakov. The composer romanized his name as ''Nicolas Rimsk ...

Scheherazade Scheherazade () is a major female character and the storyteller in the frame narrative of the Middle Eastern collection of tales known as the '' One Thousand and One Nights''. Name According to modern scholarship, the name ''Scheherazade'' de ...

, with conductor

Pavle Dešpalj Pavle Dešpalj (18 June 1934 – 16 December 2021) was a Croatian composer and conductor. Biography Pavle Dešpalj graduated from Music Academy in Zagreb where he studied composition with Prof. Stjepan Šulek. In 1961 he founded Zadar's festi ...

Shostakovich Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich, , group=n (9 August 1975) was a Soviet-era Russian composer and pianist who became internationally known after the premiere of his First Symphony in 1926 and was regarded throughout his life as a major compo ...

, Symphony No. 1, conducted by Milan Horvat *

, Symphony No. 9 * Smetana, My Fatherland * Stravinsky,

Petrushka Petrushka ( rus, Петру́шка, p=pʲɪtˈruʂkə, a=Ru-петрушка.ogg) is a stock character of Russian folk puppetry. Italian puppeteers introduced it in the first third of the 19th century. While most core characters came from Italy ...

(ballet concerto)

References

{{Authority control Croatian orchestras Culture in Zagreb Musical groups established in 1871 1871 establishments in Austria-Hungary Classical music in Croatia