Dora Pejačević (1885-1923)

[Pianorak]

Pejacevic’s first Croatian Piano Concerto
Composer of the Week

Donald Macleod surveys a series of Croatian firsts by Dora Pejacevic

[Serial_Apologist]

Had much of the music we've heard this week been composed 30 years earlier than it actually was, I would have listened more attentively. The in essence post-Brahms/Dvorakian idiom reminds me of another female composer (British) whose personality and life-choices eclipsed the music; however the contributions of Koraldjka Koss and Iskra Iveljic in building a picture of her have been at the levels of scholarship and erudition for which Radio 3 was once so much valued.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Had much of the music we've heard this week been composed 30 years earlier than it actually was, I would have listened more attentively. The in essence post-Brahms/Dvorakian idiom reminds me of another female composer (British) whose personality and life-choices eclipsed the music; however the contributions of Koraldjka Koss and Iskra Iveljic in building a picture of her have been at the levels of scholarship and erudition for which Radio 3 was once so much valued.

- some lovely bits of Music, particularly in the songs and piano miniatures (and the slow movement of the Symphony, too). But, yes - more 1870s than 1910s, and not, I felt, someone who could sustain interest in larger-scale structures. A good CotW from a Musicological point of view, but no "unjustly neglected genius" discovered here.

[kernelbogey]

Dora Pejačević (1885-1923)

Episode 1 of 5 11.5.20 (repeat)

Donald Macleod surveys a series of Croatian firsts by Dora Pejacevic

In Composer of the Week, Donald Macleod introduces a first for the series in its history of over 70 years, the Croatian Countess Dora Pejacevic. The life of Pejacevic has been fictionalised into film, and also told in a romanticised biography. In this week of programmes, Donald is joined by Professor Koraljka Koss and Professor Iskra Iveljic, to explore the known facts about the life and music of this Countess and her family. Although Pejacevic was born into one of the most influential aristocratic families in Croatia, she became rather critical of her own class in later life. Through her position she did have the opportunity to study in Germany with noted music teachers of the day, and met and collaborated with some of the literary giants of the early 20th century. Upon her death at the age of only 37, she left a catalogue of over one hundred compositions displaying a unique voice now largely forgotten.

Dora Pejacevic was born in Budapest in 1885. Her musical legacy of nearly sixty opus numbers, can also claim a quantity of Croatian firsts. There are a number of sources which claim that her Symphony in F sharp minor, was the first symphony ever to be composed in Croatia. This is in fact not true, however it can be considered the first Croatian Symphony in the modern style of the 20th century. When it was first premiered in Vienna in 1918, the conductor at the last minute chose only to perform two of the four movements. The full premiere had to wait two years, which took place in Dresden. After hearing the symphony, one critic compared the sound world of Pejacevic to that of Tchaikovsky.

Another Croatian first Pejacvic can boast without contradiction, is that she composed the first ever Croatian Piano Concerto. This was the beginning of her ventures into writing for the orchestra, and it was combined with her own instrument, the piano. The work was premiered during World War I, in 1916, and the critics at the time thought it was something of a sensation. The premiere marked the start of Dora’s career as a composer.

[Serial_Apologist]

It's a repeat. You would think, wouldn't you, at this time and in these circumstances, that the BBC would do its duty by experts in the field, of which there must be many twiddling their thumbs right now, and could come up with new composers to feature on COTW. After all, we're always suggesting names; yet they come up again and again with the same old ones.

That said, this did turn out to be quite an interesting week's listening.

[Suffolkcoastal]

Indeed, I can think of at least 50 composers that have never featured straight-off. They've also gone from under representing women composers, to greatly over representing them. Seems they can't do anything in moderation anymore.

[kernelbogey]

It's a repeat ....That said, this did turn out to be quite an interesting week's listening.

Thanks SA, I didn't know. Have amended OP slightly in the light of this. (And you'd have thought the website might have admitted that! )

[Edgy 2]

These programmes were first broadcast in October 18
I like Dora Pejacevic’s music a lot,I thought we had a thread dedicated to her but I can’t find it,maybe I’ve imagined it

[teamsaint]

These programmes were first broadcast in October 18
I like Dora Pejacevic’s music a lot,I thought we had a thread dedicated to her but I can’t find it,maybe I’ve imagined it

Here’s the COTW thread from last time round.....

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?19412-Dora-Pejacevic-22-Oct-2018&highlight=Dora

[kernelbogey]

Thanks, TS; threads merged (though there wasn't much to the older one).

[Jonathan]

I missed it the first time so as I'm furloughed, this gives me a chance to hear it.

[kernelbogey]

Connoisseurs of TTN in the early hours may exercise their familiarity with the Croatian repertoire here....

[gurnemanz]

Jpc have a nice video to accompany their 2CD issue of the solo piano music with Natasa Veljkovic. https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/...e/hnum/8445338

[Edgy 2]

Jpc have a nice video to accompany their 2CD issue of the solo piano music with Natasa Veljkovic. https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/cpo/detail/...e/hnum/8445338

There are some wonderful little gems in that set

[Barbirollians]

Good to hear her symphony with BBCSO/Oramo tonight.