May 31 – June 1, 2001
Invitational Composers’ Competition
The jubilee marking the 150th anniversary of the birth and 70th anniversary of the death of composer Josif Marinković was celebrated throughout the year with numerous rich and diverse cultural events. The 9th “Horizons on the Tisa” festival centered around the third composers’ competition for art songs, held on May 31 and June 1, 2001.
Opening Ceremony in Novi Bečej
In the lobby of the Workers’ Home, the “Josif Marinković” Choir of Zrenjanin, conducted by Andrej Bursać, opened the festival by performing Marinković’s Our Father and On Good Friday. They were joined by the children’s choir of Miloje Čiplić Elementary School, conducted by Sofija Jegdić, performing Marinković’s children’s song Fly, Little Bee and Juraj Ferik’s Jelena’s Ship, composed to the verses of Novi Bečej poet Tomislav Kurbanjev.
After the welcoming address by Milovan Baštovanov, president of the Novi Bečej Municipality Assembly, the festival was officially opened by Paja Francuski, deputy president of the Executive Council of AP Vojvodina.
Exhibition at the “Selo” Gallery
Etnomusicologist Dr. Dragoslav Dević delivered a lecture on the life and work of the composer, followed by the opening of an exhibition dedicated to Marinković by Prof. Dr. Roksanda Pejović. The exhibition showcased 28 items from the Josif Marinković Memorial Collection, formed by Branislav Kiselički — including original manuscripts, photographs, awards, recognitions, posters, and several personal belongings of the composer.
Concert of Tamburitza Orchestras
In the theatre hall, a joint concert was held featuring the RTV Novi Sad Tamburitza Orchestra, led by concertmaster Mile Nikolić and conductor Zoran Mulić, together with the Subotica Tamburitza Orchestra, conducted by Stipan Jaramazović.
Soloists performed several of Marinković’s art songs accompanied by tamburitza ensemble, while the Subotica orchestra concluded their performance with the lively Small Banat Kolo by Sava Vukosavljev.
Concert in Vranjevo
In Vranjevo, Marinković’s birthplace, the members of the First Belgrade Singing Society paid tribute to their former conductor (1881–1887). In the Orthodox Church of St. John the Baptist, they performed a concert titled In Honor of Our Artistic Leader Josif Marinković.
Under the direction of Darko Jovanović, the choir presented four sacred compositions by Marinković, followed by works by Milojević, Pašćan, Mokranjac, Tajčević, Govedarica, and Binički.
Premiere Performances of Competition Works
Thirteen composers responded to the invitation for the third art song competition. The works were performed premiere-style, in alphabetical order based on the composers’ surnames.
(The complete list of all composers, interpreters, and accompanists is preserved exactly as in the original.)
Jury Awards
The jury consisting of:
- Dr. Dimitrije O. Golemović – President
- Boris Černogubov
- Gordana Jevtović–Minov
awarded the following prizes:
- First Prize (15,000 dinars): Stanko Šepić – Trace (Trag), performed by soprano Snežana Savičić
- Second Prize (painting by Slobodan Jeremić): Dejan Despić – Eyes (Oči), performed by baritone Predrag Milanović
- Third Prize (painting by Slobodan Jeremić): Aleksandra Stepanović – The Tree in the Field (Drvo u polju), performed by baritone Vasa Stajkić
“Josif Marinković” Plaques
For exceptional contributions to preserving the memory and work of Josif Marinković, honorary plaques (terracotta artwork by Milorad Josimović) were awarded to:
- Momčilo Radojčin
- Nikola Arsenov
- Composer Miroslav Štatkić
- Stevan Davidović
- Dr. Spasoje Grahovac
The awards were presented by the composer’s grandson, Dr. Ivan Valčić.
“Horizons” in Negotin
At the 36th Mokranjac Days in Negotin, a concert titled An Evening of Serbian Art Song from the “Horizons on the Tisa” Festival was held. Esteemed vocal soloists performed works by Marinković, as well as by contemporary Serbian composers. They were accompanied by pianists Mirjana Kršljanin, Ljubica Grujić, Maja Grujić, and Stanko Šepić.
Concert at the SANU Gallery
On November 22, 2001, a commemorative concert dedicated to Marinković’s piano and vocal oeuvre was held at the Gallery of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU). The program featured his one-movement four-hand sonatina — the first of its kind in Serbian piano music — alongside art songs and sacred works performed by leading artists.
(Quoted excerpt from Blic newspaper preserved as in the original.)
Musicological Conference on Josif Marinković
In cooperation with Matica Srpska, the festival organized a scholarly conference titled Music at the Crossroads of Two Centuries, marking the 150th anniversary of the composer’s birth.
Held on September 28, 2001, in the ceremonial hall of Matica Srpska in Novi Sad, the conference gathered around twenty eminent musicologists.
Branislav Kiselički opened the program with a lecture on Vranjevo as the Place of Josif Marinković’s Artistic Beginnings, highlighting the cultural environment of the composer’s hometown.
Renowned scholars then presented research on:
- musicological aspects of Marinković’s work
- the relationship between text and music in his art songs
- sacred music
- folkloric influences
- historical and cultural context
Matica Srpska Library also prepared an exhibition of manuscripts and archival material.
Two weeks later, on October 10, the Museum of Vojvodina in Novi Sad hosted the exhibition The Life and Work of Josif Marinković, authored by Dr. Roksanda Pejović, followed by a performance of the Choir of the Cathedral of St. George.
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