Harmony of the Spheres XIX

Dear Friends of the National Gallery of Slovenia and the Slovene Philharmonic String Chamber Orchestra. We cordially invite you to the Grand Hall of the National Gallery of Slovenia to attend the nineteenth consecutive season of the Harmony of the Spheres series.

We shall follow the concept established last season and extend the Harmony of the Spheres: Pictures at an Exhibition into the second one. You will be treated to certain compositions inspired by specific works of art from the collection of the National Gallery of Slovenia or from the treasure chest of World Art.

Our main guest will be an exceptional British composer, Charlotte Bray, who is writing a new piece inspired by the sculpture of Drago Tršar: Amidst the Powerful and the Powerless. The composition has been commissioned by our orchestra and the Aurora ensemble of London as a joint venture. Thus, Tršar's sculpture shall resonate in a production of this prestigious orchestra in London at the end of this year.

We still keep cooperation with the Academy of Music in Ljubljana. Its select students will compose music miniatures on subjects of the paintings in the National Gallery’s collection. Besides contemporary we shall produce also a number of compositions from the classical heritage of world music by composers F. Mendelssohn − Bartholdy, J. Rodrigo, J. Taverner, A. Vivaldi, and A. Piazzolla. We shall host several excellent musicians from Slovenia and Europe: the violinist Nika Toškan, the guitarist Mak Grgić, the soprano Rinnat Moriah, the cellist Natalie Clein and duo Neotango.

Lectures might not be that self-evident, except for the double treat with Tršar's sculpture in the fourth concert. Mateja Breščak, MA, the keeper of our sculpture collection will see to it. Dr Alenka Simončič will talk on the allegory of love and war, Sara Müller on the royal palace at Aranjuez, Spain, Mojca Jenko, MA, will discuss relations between music and the visual arts in the Venetian tradition, while Dr Katra Meke will present music and dance visualizations in the visual arts to tie the subject matter to tango.

Klemen Hvala, Art Director of SFSCO
Dr Barbara Jaki, Director of NG

Subscription price for the 2019–2020 season: 75 €
Single ticket: 19 €

Subscription price for Friends of the National Gallery of Slovenia: 50 €
Single ticket: 15 €

Subscription or single tickets available at the front desk of the National Gallery of Slovenia, Prešernova 24, Ljubljana, 10 am–6pm, Thursdays through 8pm, or one hour before the event; closed Mondays.

Dates of events

Welcome!

Programme at a glance

8 October 2019, National Gallery of Slovenia, Grand Hall
Youthful Audacity
Concert
Solistka: Nika Toškan, violin
5 mins for a miniature: Anja Lobnik
Felix Mendelssohn – Bartholdy: Concerto for violin and strings in d-minor
Felix Mendelssohn – Bartholdy: Symphony for strings No. 9 in C-major
Lecture
Alenka Simončič, curator, National Gallery of Slovenia: Omnia vincit Amor (Love Conquers All)

5 November 2019, National Gallery of Slovenia, Grand Hall
Tuning of Strings
Concert
Soloist: Mak Grgić, guitar
5 mins for a miniature: Klara Mlakar
Leon Firšt: The Balcanisms for guitar and strings
José Rodrigo: Concerto de Aranjuez for guitar and strings
Lecture
Sara Müller, art historian, National Gallery of Slovenia: Palacio Real de Aranjuez

28 January 2020, National Gallery of Slovenia, Grand Hall
Vivaldissimo
Concert
Soloist: Rinnat Moriah, soprano
5 mins for a miniature: Ana Zlobko
Antonio Vivaldi: Concerts and arias for soprano and strings
Lecture
Mojca Jenko, curator, National Gallery of Slovenia: Antonio Vivaldi (1678–1741) – An Inspiration to Artists. His and Our Contemporaries

Cancelled - 7 April 2020, National Gallery of Slovenia, Grand Hall
Amidst the Powerful and the Powerless
Concert
Soloist: Natalie Clein, cello
5 mins for a miniature: Federica lo Pinto
Charlotte Bray: Amidst the Powerful and the Powerless for cello and strings
John Tavener: The Protecting Veil for cello and strings
Lecture
Mateja Breščak, curator, National Gallery of Slovenia: Drago Tršar: Amidst the Powerful and the Powerless

Cancelled - 19 May 2020, National Gallery of Slovenia, Grand Hall
The Eternal Piazzolla
Concert
Soloists: Massimiliano Pitocco, bandoneon and Carla Agostinello, piano
5 mins for a miniature: Gašper Muženič
Astor Piazzolla: Pieces for bandoneon, piano and strings
Lecture
Katra Meke, curator, National Gallery of Slovenia: Between the Fatality and the Joy of Life. On Dance in the Visual Arts

Season 2019/2020
Narodna galerija
Cankarjeva 20
1000 Ljubljana