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Nebojša ZivkovicInternational Performer/Composer
Performer
(Pronounce: Neboysha Yovan Chivkovich b.1962)
Hailed by the critics as one of the most unique and expressive artists in the field today, a composing virtuoso Zivkovic is recognised as one of the worlds top marimba and percussion soloists. He embodies a very rare tradition: the tradition the composer and virtuoso in one person, which was common in the 19th century among famous concert artists. Zivkovic completed his master's degrees in composition, music theory and percussion in Mannheim and Stuttgart, Germany. He tours extensively throughout Europe, and performs frequently in the USA, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Latin America, Russia and Scandinavian countries. As a soloist, mostly with his own Marimba concertos, Zivkovic played among other with Stuttgart Philharmonic, Munich Symphonic, Bochum Phiharmonic, Austrian Chamber Symphony, Hannover Radio Symphony, Bielefeld Philharmonic, Belgrade Philharmonic, National Orchestra of Costa Rica, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra (Finland) Lithuanian State Symphony Orchestra, to name a few. Zivkovic performed in such prestigious venues as “Wiener Konzerthaus”, Munich 's Herkulessaal, National Recital Hall Taipei, Stockholms Nybrokajen, or Belgrade 's Famous Kolarac-Hall. He was also guest at the number of Festivals such as Gaudeamus Amsterdam, Dance-in-your-head ( Minneapolis ), or twice at Schleswig-Holstein Musikfestival. In 1996 and 1997 he was Visiting Professor at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis and University of Hartford, Connecticut, and since 2003 he is a percussion department chair and visiting professor at the University of NOVI SAD, Serbia (his home town). In addition to his full time composing and concert activities, he gives master classes and seminars in Latin America and almost annually in the United States. Contemporary music is an important part of Zivkovic’s repertoire, and many composers have written works dedicated to him. His own music, which meanwhile make the largest part of his repertoire, can best be described as „new music with flash and soul“ and his works for marimba and percussion published in the USA and in Germany have entered the standard repertoire of many percussionists world wide. Zivkovic has also made a number of radio recordings in Germany and abroad, as well as many TV appearances and live broadcastings. His creative output is currently captured on five CD's of marimba and percussion, and one CD with the recording of Darius Milhauds marimba /vibraphone concerto. Zivkovic performs on the One-of-the-kind Marimba, made in 1997 by YAMAHA in JAPAN especially for him. (updated: Jan.2005)
Composer
Without doubt Nebojsa Zivkovic is one of the most successful German composers of his generation. His chamber music and orchestral pieces were performed in more than 40 countries all over the world, from Iceland to Indonesia, from Tokyo to New York. Renowned conductors and orchestras took care of his percussion and marimba concertos. During the last few years his compositions were performed among others in Washington, London, Stockholm, Rom, Tokio, Wien, Belgrad, New York, Reykjavik, Paris, Taipei, Osaka, Manchester etc... Merely some of the orchestras should be mentioned: National Symphony Orchestra, USA, BBC- Concert Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra di Santa Cecilia, Rome, Northern Sinfonia, New Castle UK, Stuttgart Philharmonic, Munich Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Since the world première of his second marimba concerto in April 1997 in Munich (Herkulessaal) with Zivkovic as soloist, many performances of this successful piece followed world-wide: just that very year in Austria and USA and in 1998 also in Japan. New millennium started successfully with two premiere performances of chamber music pieces in London's WIGMORE HALL: "Born to beAT Wild" for trumpet and percussion and "Quasi una sonata" for piano and percussion, composed for Hakan Hardenberger, Evelyn Glennie and Emanuel Ax. The world première of his percussion concerto no.1 ("Concerto of the mad queen") commissioned by the Northern Sinfonia (UK) and Evelyn Glennie, took place in England in the year 2000. In just two years the concerto was already crowned with success on the concert stage. After its successful world première the same orchestra immediately commissioned a new composition: Concerto for Horn and Orchestra. This piece had it's premiere in May 2002 in New Castle (UK). His latest finished orchestral piece is "TALES FROM THE CENTER OF THE EARTH" for Marimba/percussion solo and WIND ENSEMBLE. After its world premiere in Hartford (USA) in April 2003, the piece had already more than 20 performances in Europe and USA. At the present time Zivkovic is working on his SECOND concerto for percussion and symphony orchestra, commissioned by the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs in Baden-Württemberg (GERMANY), that will be premiered in spring 2006 with State Philharmonic Orchestra Rheinland-Pfalz with composer as soloist. Other commissions includes: the foundation "100 YEARS YAMAHA", several cultural initiatives, over a dozen Universities from USA and orchestras and soloists at home and abroad. Beside his concert works, he has composed many compositions for younger players. Especially pieces from his “FUNNY MALLETS SERIES” have become some of the world’s most successful works for mallets. At the present time his music receives some 200 performances annually. (updated: January 2005)
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