Pianists Arsen Daldaljan and Luka Galuf are the recipients of the Ferde Livadić Award, presented as part of the 51st Samobor Music Festival. The award for the best artistic performance this year went to two artists.
The announcement of the winners of the 23rd International Competition for Young Musicians 'Ferde Livadić' took place in the parish church of St. Anastasia, preceded by two days of final performances by six finalists. Each presented a programme of their own choice, with the requirement to perform at least one piece by a Croatian composer.
The artistic director of the festival, Stjepan Bradić, stated that Daldaljan and Galuf stood out with strongly defined and recognisable artistic profiles. 'The decision was not an easy one. After the final performances, the members of the jury debated for a long time, re-evaluating the artistic achievements of both candidates; the scale tipped first one way, then the other. It was precisely this uncertainty that showed how strongly two different artistic personalities had asserted themselves in this year's final,' said Bradić.
Daldanjan's performance was distinguished by technical mastery, a refined sense of sound, and a sonorous pianism in the works of Scriabin, Dora Pejačević, and Liszt. Galuf's performance of Schumann, Božidar Kunc, and Prokofiev was characterised by immediacy, emotional authenticity, and a strong connection with the audience, with particular note made of his collaboration with pianist David Vuković.
Alongside Stjepan Bradić, the judging panel included Krešimir Marić, representative of the Zagreb Soloists, Ivana Kuljeric, artistic director of the Music Evenings in Šibenik, Ivana Kocelj, head of orchestras and choirs at Croatian Radiotelevision, and Branko Mihanović, representative of the Osor Music Evenings. The award was presented to the laureates by the deputy mayor of Samobor, Petar Burić.
Alongside a monetary award, the laureates are set to perform at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, the Osor Music Evenings, the Music Evenings in Šibenik, and the Samobor Music Festival, as well as with the Zagreb Soloists. Next year, they will premiere new compositions written specifically for them by composer Sanda Majer.
Luka Galuf said: 'To be honest, I am perhaps even more pleased that I can share this with him. I really do not know who deserves this award more, my colleague and friend beside me.' Arsen Daldaljan stated: 'There is a certain charm in sharing the award together. We have known each other for a long time, we are good friends.'
The award from the Croatian Composers' Association for the best performance of Croatian music went to 19-year-old cellist Hana Rabadan for her performance of Ante Štambak's Lament for solo cello. The jury specifically highlighted the expressive intensity, the gradual building of the emotional arc, and the ability to hold the audience's attention, recognising in her a potential for a dedicated interpreter of contemporary music. Alongside a monetary award, she also won a concert at the next Samobor Music Festival.
'For me, this means a lot, this award. In terms of preparation, the preparation was not just for this, but I have been preparing for a long time, and this was a confirmation that what I am doing is good. I am truly, honestly, very pleased to have received this award,' said Rabadan.
Following the announcement of the winners, the audience was treated to a performance by the previous year's competition winner, guitarist Filip Misković. He performed the Suite for Guitar by Davor Palan, written specifically for him and premiered on this occasion, followed by Bach's Prelude and Fugue in C minor, BWV 997, Manuel de Falla's Sonata Española, and Dušan Bogdan's Six Balkan Miniatures. The performance was met with prolonged applause and calls for an encore.
'I feel that it all started with Samobor last year, and as if I felt progress in myself, especially through the festivals where I played this summer, in Zadar, Dubrovnik, and now back in Samobor, as well as the two important awards that greeted me in Spain. I can only say that I returned to Samobor with great pride and tried to share my love for music with the audience in the best way possible,' said Misković.
