Clarinet Orchestra of the Ljubljana Academy of Music
Peter Kuder, E-flat clarinet, a. g.
Samanta Škorja, Lara Ramšak, Špela Pokorn, Matija Raićević, Jan Zver, Adam Atanasov, Urban Erker, Matic Sotošek, Matija Francuski, Luka Vovk, B-flat clarinet
Jan Junger, Urška Sikovšek, alto clarinet
Benjamin Burger, Anže Plesnik Zupanc, bass klarinet
Jan Ulaga, double-bass clarinet
Jože Kotar, conductor
Samanta Škorja, soloist
Programme:
W. A. Mozart, arr. J. Hanquier: Overture to Don Giovanni, K. 527
G. F. Händel, arr. T. Kmetič: Largo from the opera Xerxes, HWV 40
Ch.-M. Widor, arr. M. Johnston: Symphony No. 6 in G minor, Op. 42, No. 2
M. Jarc: Klara
W. Soenen: Variations on a theme of one of Guido’s friends
G. Gershwin, arr. R. Kernen: Gershwin favourites
J. Van der Roost, arr. M. Jense: Rikudim
The Clarinet Orchestra of the Ljubljana Academy of Music formed in the 2017/2018 school year at the initiative of Jože Kotar, who also directs it. The ensemble includes all the members of the clarinet family, from the E-flat clarinet to the contrabass clarinet, which gives it an extremely broad tonal palette and a vast range of interpretational possibilities. The orchestra’s repertoire includes numerous original compositions for this configuration alongside arrangements of symphonic works. All the orchestra’s members are clarinet students at the Ljubljana Academy of Music.
Jože Kotar is a clarinet teacher at Ljubljana’s Academy of Music and Conservatory of Music and Ballet, and has since 2007 has performed as solo clarinettist for RTV Slovenija Symphony Orchestra. Prior to that he had been solo clarinettist in the Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra for 12 years. As a soloist, chamber musician, and member of various chamber ensembles such as the Slovenian Clarinet Orchestra, the Slovenian Clarinet Sextet, the MD7 contemporary music ensemble, and others, he performs both in Slovenia and abroad, holds seminars for clarinet and chamber playing, and is also a jury member in international competitions. Since 2007 he has been the conductor and artistic director of the Trbovlje Workers’ Band, and since the 2017/2018 season he has also led the Clarinet Orchestra of Ljubljana’s Academy of Music. He has performed under the baton of eminent conductors, cooperated at numerous renowned festivals, and recorded a series of CDs. Jože Kotar has premiered over 190 compositions by Slovenian and foreign composers.
