Alexander Djordjevic
Encyclopedia
Alexander Djordjevic is an American
classical
concert pianist
.
, Alexander Djordjevic began his piano
studies at age three, performing as a concerto
soloist at ages twelve and fifteen. As a Fulbright Scholar, Alexander Djordjevic was a student of the Russian pianist and pedagogue Vitaly Margulis
at the Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg, Germany where he was awarded the Aufbaustudium Diploma “With Distinction.” He studied piano at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
where he earned his Undergraduate and Master's degrees and completed the Doctoral coursework. His teachers have included Gustavo Romero, Joel Shapiro, Vitaly Margulis
, William Heiles, Gellert Modos, Sally Bauer and Ann Schein (Aspen).
(2010); Nena Wideman Piano Competition, Shreveport, Louisiana (1998); and Union League Civic & Arts Foundation Piano Competition, Chicago (1995). He was also selected to participate in the Cleveland International Piano Competition
(2001); the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, New York (1990); and the New Orleans International Piano Competition (2002).
In January, 2009, Alexander Djordjevic released his latest CD, Gray Clouds: Piano Music of Franz Liszt
, which is composed entirely of the late works of Franz Liszt (see also List of compositions by Franz Liszt (S.1 – S.350)).
Gray Clouds: Piano Music of Franz Liszt
, is the 2010 recipient of the Hungarian Liszt Society’s 35th Annual Franz Liszt International Grand Prix du Disque Alexander Djordjevic follows an esteemed list of notable pianists who have received this honor for their Liszt recordings including Claudio Arrau
, Lazar Berman
, Jorge Bolet
, Alfred Brendel
, György Cziffra, Leslie Howard
, Vladimir Horowitz
, Jenõ Jandó, Zoltán Kocsis
, Maurizio Pollini
and André Watts
. According to the Jury of the 35th Annual Liszt Ferenc International Grand Prix du Disque, Hungarian Liszt Society (2010), "[Alexander Djordjevic] ... has the key to the peculiar and meditative world of the works from Liszt's late years. Djordjevic simply plays the sixteen pieces of different length without any kind of mannerism and with a poetic approach, finding the character and appeal of each piece."
Gramophone Magazine writes, "Djordjevic brings great subtlety to this well programmed Liszt
Disc.” It goes on to write, “… Djordjevic's mastery and commitment are never in doubt. Listen to the first Elegie's carefully gauged climaxes, the subtle gradations in tone that help flesh out Nuages gris
sparse textures, the warm legato
that embraces Romance oubliée's soft chords, or how the pianist imbues the Bagatelle ohne Tonart's [ Bagatelle sans tonalité
] grace notes with a convincing jazzy flair.”
Phoenix Classical writes, "As with any Liszt
works, these shorter pieces require a pianist of utmost skill and artistry, and Alexander Djordjevic brings formidable talent and technique to these works, coupled with a profound poetic sensitivity to the music. Gray Clouds features a number of Liszt
’s “sacred” works for solo piano – the “Stabat Mater”, “Vexilla Regis Prodeunt” & “Sancta Dorothea” are among those on this collection, and Djordjevic gives each of these works a stately, yet reflective tone, bringing out their grasping for the Divine, while works such as the well-known “En Reve Nocturne” exude the spirit of Romanticism, and the incredibly original “Bagatelle sans tonalité
” points towards the 20th century. Through all of these works, Djordjevic displays a deep affinity for Liszt
’s music, showcasing by turns their profundity, their thoughtfulness and their joy, and in every case transcending any limitations of technique."
soloist with the Central Oregon Symphony, New Philharmonic, Symphony of Oak Park River Forest, DuPage Symphony, Kankakee Valley Symphony and Danville Symphony. Mr. Djordjevic’s solo recital performances have included the Academy of Arts, Belgrade
, Yugoslavia; The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC; the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, Chicago, Illinois; PianoForte Foundation
Chicago including Schubertiade
Chicago; the Harold Washington Library
, Chicago, Illinois; the Steinway Society Recital Series; the 19th Century Club; the Kosciuszko Foundation Auditorium, New York; the Old Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, Hungary; and various performances in Germany. Djordjevic has performed Duo-piano recitals with Dr. Daniel Paul Horn, Dr. Mayumi Kikuchi, and Brenda Huang at various venues including PianoForte Foundation
Chicago, Nichols Concert Hall, Wheaton College
, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
, University of Louisville
, Middle Tennessee State University
, and University of Akron
.
Djordjevic’s performances have been broadcast live on various radio stations including WFMT
(Chicago) and WCLV
(Cleveland) and his latest CD, Gray Clouds: Piano Music of Franz Liszt, has already been played on over 30 classical radio stations throughout the United States and Canada.
Mr. Djordjevic is currently on the piano faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago
and College of DuPage
.
2010 Winner, Hungarian Liszt Society 35th Annual Franz Liszt International Grand Prix du Disque.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
classical
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
concert pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
.
Biography
Born in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Alexander Djordjevic began his piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
studies at age three, performing as a concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
soloist at ages twelve and fifteen. As a Fulbright Scholar, Alexander Djordjevic was a student of the Russian pianist and pedagogue Vitaly Margulis
Vitaly Margulis
Vitaly Margulis was a Ukrainian classical pianist.-Biography:Vitaly Margulis was born in the city of Kharkiv in the Ukraine. He took his first piano lessons from his father, whose teacher studied with the composer Alexander Scriabin...
at the Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg, Germany where he was awarded the Aufbaustudium Diploma “With Distinction.” He studied piano at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
where he earned his Undergraduate and Master's degrees and completed the Doctoral coursework. His teachers have included Gustavo Romero, Joel Shapiro, Vitaly Margulis
Vitaly Margulis
Vitaly Margulis was a Ukrainian classical pianist.-Biography:Vitaly Margulis was born in the city of Kharkiv in the Ukraine. He took his first piano lessons from his father, whose teacher studied with the composer Alexander Scriabin...
, William Heiles, Gellert Modos, Sally Bauer and Ann Schein (Aspen).
Awards and recognition
In addition to being named a Fulbright Scholar, Djordjevic was a prizewinner in numerous piano competitions including First Prize, Grace Welsh Prize for Piano (1991); First Prize, Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra's Young Artists Piano Competition (2002); First Prize, Chicago Artists Association Competition (1990); Bradshaw and Buono International Piano CompetitionBradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition
The Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition is an international piano competition founded in 2003 by the late David Bradshaw, and Cosmo Buono...
(2010); Nena Wideman Piano Competition, Shreveport, Louisiana (1998); and Union League Civic & Arts Foundation Piano Competition, Chicago (1995). He was also selected to participate in the Cleveland International Piano Competition
Cleveland International Piano Competition
The Cleveland International Piano Competition takes place biennially in Cleveland, Ohio. The initial Competition in 1975 and the nine others that followed were sponsored jointly by the Robert Casadesus Society and the Cleveland Institute of Music to honor the memory of French pianist Robert...
(2001); the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, New York (1990); and the New Orleans International Piano Competition (2002).
In January, 2009, Alexander Djordjevic released his latest CD, Gray Clouds: Piano Music of Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt ; ), was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher.Liszt became renowned in Europe during the nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age...
, which is composed entirely of the late works of Franz Liszt (see also List of compositions by Franz Liszt (S.1 – S.350)).
Gray Clouds: Piano Music of Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt ; ), was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher.Liszt became renowned in Europe during the nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age...
, is the 2010 recipient of the Hungarian Liszt Society’s 35th Annual Franz Liszt International Grand Prix du Disque Alexander Djordjevic follows an esteemed list of notable pianists who have received this honor for their Liszt recordings including Claudio Arrau
Claudio Arrau
Claudio Arrau León was a Chilean pianist known for his interpretations of a vast repertoire spanning from the baroque to 20th-century composers, especially Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Schumann, Liszt, Brahms and Debussy...
, Lazar Berman
Lazar Berman
Lazar Naumovich Berman was a Soviet Russian classical pianist. As a technician, Berman was extraordinary in terms of sheer evenness, control, and rhythmic panache, yet he always channeled his considerable craft toward musical ends....
, Jorge Bolet
Jorge Bolet
Jorge Bolet was a Cuban-born but mostly American-resident pianist and teacher.-Life:Bolet was born in Havana, and studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where he himself taught from 1939 to 1942...
, Alfred Brendel
Alfred Brendel
Alfred Brendel KBE is an Austrian pianist, born in Czechoslovakia and a resident of the United Kingdom. He is also a poet and author.-Biography:...
, György Cziffra, Leslie Howard
Leslie Howard (musician)
Leslie Howard AM is an Australian pianist and composer. He is best known for being the only pianist to have recorded the complete solo piano works of Franz Liszt, a project which included more than 300 premiere recordings...
, Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Horowitz
Vladimir Samoylovich Horowitz was a Russian-American classical virtuoso pianist and minor composer. His technique and use of tone color and the excitement of his playing were legendary. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.-Life and early...
, Jenõ Jandó, Zoltán Kocsis
Zoltán Kocsis
Zoltán Kocsis is a Hungarian pianist, conductor, and composer.Born in Budapest, he started his musical studies at the age of five and continued them at the Béla Bartók Conservatory in 1963, studying piano and composition...
, Maurizio Pollini
Maurizio Pollini
Maurizio Pollini is an Italian classical pianist.- Biography and career :Pollini was born in Milan to the Italian rationalist architect Gino Pollini. Maurizio studied piano first with Carlo Lonati, until the age of 13, then with Carlo Vidusso, until he was 18...
and André Watts
André Watts
André Watts is a classical pianist and professor at the Jacobs School of Music of Indiana University.-Life and early performances:...
. According to the Jury of the 35th Annual Liszt Ferenc International Grand Prix du Disque, Hungarian Liszt Society (2010), "[Alexander Djordjevic] ... has the key to the peculiar and meditative world of the works from Liszt's late years. Djordjevic simply plays the sixteen pieces of different length without any kind of mannerism and with a poetic approach, finding the character and appeal of each piece."
Gramophone Magazine writes, "Djordjevic brings great subtlety to this well programmed Liszt
Liszt
Liszt is a Hungarian surname. Notable persons with that surname include:* Franz Liszt , Hungarian composer and pianist* Adam Liszt , father of Franz Liszt* Anna Liszt , mother of Franz Liszt...
Disc.” It goes on to write, “… Djordjevic's mastery and commitment are never in doubt. Listen to the first Elegie's carefully gauged climaxes, the subtle gradations in tone that help flesh out Nuages gris
Nuages Gris
Nuages gris , S.199 or Trübe Wolken, is a work for piano solo composed by Franz Liszt on August 24, 1881. It is one of Liszt's most haunting and at the same time one of his most experimental works, representing, according to Allen Forte, "a high point in the experimental idiom with respect to...
sparse textures, the warm legato
Legato
In musical notation the Italian word legato indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly and connected. That is, in transitioning from note to note, there should be no intervening silence...
that embraces Romance oubliée's soft chords, or how the pianist imbues the Bagatelle ohne Tonart's [ Bagatelle sans tonalité
Bagatelle sans tonalité
Bagatelle sans tonalité is a piece for solo piano written by Franz Liszt in 1885. The manuscript bears the title "Fourth Mephisto Waltz" and may have been intended to replace the piece now known as the Fourth Mephisto Waltz when it appeared Liszt would not be able to finish it; the phrase...
] grace notes with a convincing jazzy flair.”
Phoenix Classical writes, "As with any Liszt
Liszt
Liszt is a Hungarian surname. Notable persons with that surname include:* Franz Liszt , Hungarian composer and pianist* Adam Liszt , father of Franz Liszt* Anna Liszt , mother of Franz Liszt...
works, these shorter pieces require a pianist of utmost skill and artistry, and Alexander Djordjevic brings formidable talent and technique to these works, coupled with a profound poetic sensitivity to the music. Gray Clouds features a number of Liszt
Liszt
Liszt is a Hungarian surname. Notable persons with that surname include:* Franz Liszt , Hungarian composer and pianist* Adam Liszt , father of Franz Liszt* Anna Liszt , mother of Franz Liszt...
’s “sacred” works for solo piano – the “Stabat Mater”, “Vexilla Regis Prodeunt” & “Sancta Dorothea” are among those on this collection, and Djordjevic gives each of these works a stately, yet reflective tone, bringing out their grasping for the Divine, while works such as the well-known “En Reve Nocturne” exude the spirit of Romanticism, and the incredibly original “Bagatelle sans tonalité
Bagatelle sans tonalité
Bagatelle sans tonalité is a piece for solo piano written by Franz Liszt in 1885. The manuscript bears the title "Fourth Mephisto Waltz" and may have been intended to replace the piece now known as the Fourth Mephisto Waltz when it appeared Liszt would not be able to finish it; the phrase...
” points towards the 20th century. Through all of these works, Djordjevic displays a deep affinity for Liszt
Liszt
Liszt is a Hungarian surname. Notable persons with that surname include:* Franz Liszt , Hungarian composer and pianist* Adam Liszt , father of Franz Liszt* Anna Liszt , mother of Franz Liszt...
’s music, showcasing by turns their profundity, their thoughtfulness and their joy, and in every case transcending any limitations of technique."
Music career
Alexander Djordjevic has performed as concertoConcerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
soloist with the Central Oregon Symphony, New Philharmonic, Symphony of Oak Park River Forest, DuPage Symphony, Kankakee Valley Symphony and Danville Symphony. Mr. Djordjevic’s solo recital performances have included the Academy of Arts, Belgrade
Academy of Arts, Belgrade
The Academy of Arts is a private higher education institution in Belgrade, Serbia. Founded in 1994, by Milan Đoković. Belgrade is the science and arts capital of Serbia.-External links:*...
, Yugoslavia; The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC; the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts, Chicago, Illinois; PianoForte Foundation
PianoForte Foundation
The PianoForte Foundation is a non-profit organization that presents classical and jazz piano concerts in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 2005 by piano dealer Thomas Zoells, the PianoForte Foundation presents over 60 concerts each year in downtown Chicago and the surrounding...
Chicago including Schubertiade
Schubertiade
A Schubertiade is an event held to celebrate the music of Franz Schubert.-History:During Schubert's lifetime, these events were generally informal, unadvertised gatherings, held at private homes...
Chicago; the Harold Washington Library
Harold Washington Library
The Harold Washington Library Center is the central library for the Chicago Public Library System. It is named for former Mayor Harold Washington. It is located just south of the Loop 'L', at 400 S. State Street in Chicago. It is a full service library and ADA compliant. As with all libraries in...
, Chicago, Illinois; the Steinway Society Recital Series; the 19th Century Club; the Kosciuszko Foundation Auditorium, New York; the Old Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, Hungary; and various performances in Germany. Djordjevic has performed Duo-piano recitals with Dr. Daniel Paul Horn, Dr. Mayumi Kikuchi, and Brenda Huang at various venues including PianoForte Foundation
PianoForte Foundation
The PianoForte Foundation is a non-profit organization that presents classical and jazz piano concerts in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 2005 by piano dealer Thomas Zoells, the PianoForte Foundation presents over 60 concerts each year in downtown Chicago and the surrounding...
Chicago, Nichols Concert Hall, Wheaton College
Wheaton College (Illinois)
Wheaton College is a private, evangelical Protestant liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the United States...
, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, University of Louisville
University of Louisville
The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. When founded in 1798, it was the first city-owned public university in the United States and one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains. The university is mandated by the Kentucky General...
, Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University
Middle Tennessee State University, commonly abbreviated as MTSU, is a public university located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, United States....
, and University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
.
Djordjevic’s performances have been broadcast live on various radio stations including WFMT
WFMT
WFMT is an FM radio station in Chicago, Illinois, featuring a format of fine arts, classical music programming, and shows exploring such genres as folk and jazz). The station is managed by Window To The World Communications, Inc., owner of WTTW, one of Chicago's two Public Broadcasting Service ...
(Chicago) and WCLV
WCLV
WCLV — branded WCLV 104.9 — is the classical radio station licensed to Lorain, Ohio serving Greater Cleveland and western parts of surrounding Northeast Ohio; WCLV is one of the few remaining classical music stations in the United States....
(Cleveland) and his latest CD, Gray Clouds: Piano Music of Franz Liszt, has already been played on over 30 classical radio stations throughout the United States and Canada.
Mr. Djordjevic is currently on the piano faculty at the Music Institute of Chicago
Music Institute of Chicago
Music Institute of Chicago is a community music school in Illinois with campuses in Downers Grove, Evanston, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lincolnshire, Northbrook and Winnetka....
and College of DuPage
College of DuPage
College of DuPage, or COD, is a two-year community college in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The college also owns and operates facilities in the Illinois communities of Addison, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Naperville, West Chicago, and Westmont...
.
Discography
- Gray Clouds: Piano Music of Franz LisztFranz LisztFranz Liszt ; ), was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher.Liszt became renowned in Europe during the nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age...
(2009)
2010 Winner, Hungarian Liszt Society 35th Annual Franz Liszt International Grand Prix du Disque.
- Alexander Djordjevic Plays Scarlatti – Beethoven – Chopin – Rachmaninov – Liebermann (2000)
External links
- AlexanderDjordjevic.com Alexander Djordjevic's Official Website
- www.YouTube.com/adjpiano Videos of Alexander Djordjevic performing.
- www.ChicagoMusicGuide.com Alexander Djordjevic (photos and bio) in the "Gallery" section of this website.