History of the Maribor Festival
More than half a century of transformations
History of the Maribor Festival
1964Evenings of Baroque Music
Its origins date back to 1964, when evening concerts of baroque music were organized in Maribor Castle by the Concert Management Maribor (Koncertna poslovalnica Maribor).
1968Festival of Baroque Music
Four years later, thanks to the efforts of Dr Sergej Vrišer and pianist Janko Šetinc, the Festival of Baroque Music was officially established as one of the Concert Management’s primary activities.
In the decade of its existence, the festival earned a reputation as one of the most interesting and high-quality music festivals in Slovenia.
Collegium Musicum Maribor
The Collegium Musicum ensemble was created together with the festival and featured a line-up of established artists known for their excellence, placing the Festival Maribor alongside pioneering efforts that were gaining traction on the international music scene to perform early music in a historically appropriate way.
1994Musical September
The Baroque Music Festival was recast in 1994 as Musical September, an ambitious chamber music festival that wasn’t limited to any particular style and explored more modern programming concepts. As artistic director of the festival, pianist and professor Janko Šetinc was responsible for the design of the programs. Although originally conceived as an expanded baroque festival featuring more performers, Musical September began to move further and further away from this original concept.
Radovan Vlatković
The principle focus became the festival’s own unique productions, which were distinguished by their subtle programming, first-rate performances (renowned musicians from all over the world took part in the festival) and an organizational strategy that was unique in Slovenia at the time.
As it expanded its reach to include venues in the surrounding region (including those in Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Dornava, and other towns), the festival gradually developed into one of the most prominent classical music festivals in the country. Janko Šetinc, the creative force behind Musical September, was succeeded as artistic director by hornist Radovan Vlatković, one of the most renowned chamber musicians in the world.
2008Festival Maribor
Richard Tognetti
The year 2008 brought the festival new dimensions and a new name - Festival Maribor.
With Brigita Pavlič at the helm and under the direction of the exceptional violinist, conductor and composer Richard Tognetti, the festival continued to produce its own events presenting programmes and ensembles created especially for the festival. The number of concert offerings was increased and symphonic works were added alongside chamber music thanks to the establishment of the Festival Maribor Orchestra.
In 2016, a cellist and conductor joined the festival as the leader of the festival ensemble and resident musician Nicolas Altstaedt, who worked closely with the Maribor Festival until 2020.
Between 2021 and 2022, the world-renowned Macedonian pianist co-designed the festival's programs as its resident musician. Simon Trpčeski.
TodayFestival Maribor
Between 2010 and 2016 the Festival Maribor operated as an independent non-profit organization, and since 2017 it has again been under the aegis of the Concert Management of the National Centre, Maribor (Narodni dom Maribor). Featuring a range of insightful first class artists and careful curation of innovative projects, the Festival Maribor – despite a reduction in the number of events due to ever-shrinking financial resources in recent years – continues to strengthen its reputation as a high quality classical music festival unafraid of innovative approaches to presenting classical music, one that moves beyond genre limitations to erase the gap between artists and audiences. In doing so, it has also established itself as a unique educational platform that seeks to engage the widest possible range of patrons, regardless of age, education or social background, through the presentation of art of the highest quality.
The Maribor Festival offers an inspired mix of songs, styles and artists, always offering listeners a fresh program and performance. From 2024, it will unfold new musical worlds and invite you to exciting and unpredictable adventures under the leadership of a new artistic director, an unsurpassed clarinetist and a daring conductor. Mate Bekavec.
Nicolas Altstaedt & Arcangelo: Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 1
September 6, 2016, Union Hall, Maribor
Festival Maribor in the eyes of foreigners
Production: Peter Beveridge for Destinations Media Ltd.
Year: 2008
