“BEŽNO POTOVANJE” HOMMAGE A SREČKO KOSOVEL (Austria, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina)
ENSEMBLE -tonWerk- FORUM FOR NEW MUSIC (Austria, Croatia,Bosnia)
Josipa Bainac, mezzosoprano
Michael Wasserfaller, piano
Dušan Simović, bass
John Wasserfall, percussion
Programme:
Gustav Mahler (1860–1911), Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen, GMW 10
Hugo Wolf (1860–1903), Mörike-Lieder
12. Verborgenheit
Hugo Wolf (1860–1903), Italienisches Liederbuch
20. Mein Liebster singt am Haus
8. Nun lass uns Frieden schliessen
46. Ich hab in Penna einen Liebsten wohnen
John Wasserfall (1995), What is Peace?
Akos Banlaky (1966): 12. Liedphantasie nach Gedichten von Srečko Kosovel, op. 68
Klavir v jutru
Veter
Bežno potovanje
Ciklame
Moja pesem
Drevo nad obal
Josipa Bainac is a mezzo-soprano whose artistic activity combines an international performing career, scholarly research and a strong engagement with contemporary music. Acclaimed for her interpretations of Lied, oratorio and operatic repertoire, she has received numerous distinctions, including the Isolde Langowski Prize for Lied Interpretation, the Marienkirchen Oratorio Prize, the Ada Sari Cultural Prize and the Gottlob Frick Medal. In 2019, she was also among the prizewinners of the International Hilde Zadek Singing Competition in Vienna. After graduating from the Academy of Music at the University of Zagreb, she continued her studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, where she completed a Master’s degree in Lied and Oratorio, later also earning a doctorate in voice research. Her repertoire encompasses a broad stylistic spectrum, ranging from art song, masses and oratorio to principal roles in Baroque and Romantic opera and operetta. Contemporary music occupies a central place in her artistic work, reflected in collaborations with composers such as Johanna Doderer, Michael Berkeley, Ákos Banlaky, Wolfram Wagner and Nicholas Ansdell-Evans. As a concert artist, Bainac performs internationally in recital and orchestral projects, appearing with ensembles including Camerata Hamburg, the Heilbronn Symphony Orchestra, the Kraków Opera Orchestra, Strauss Capelle Wien and Collegium Musicum Wien, while maintaining a longstanding recital partnership with pianist David Hausknecht. In collaboration with Austrian cultural institutions and embassies, she has appeared in major international cultural centres including London, New York, Montreal, Budapest, Riyadh and Jakarta. Her artistic activity further includes appearances in Austrian documentary and music television productions, among them Oscar Straus-Der Mann ohne Grenzen and the series Kunstviertel, as well as regular broadcasts on Austrian and Croatian radio. Alongside her concert career, she is active as a voice pedagogue and as manager of artistic and research projects at the Exilarte Center of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
Michael Wasserfaller is an Austrian pianist, composer and pedagogue whose artistic activity encompasses classical music, musical theatre, jazz and contemporary popular music. After his early musical training at the Carinthian State Conservatory in Klagenfurt, he continued his studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, where he pursued piano, jazz piano, music pedagogy and instrumental-vocal pedagogy with teachers including Harald Neuwirth, Renato Chicco and Eike Straub. He was awarded the degree of Magister artium in 1999. A significant part of his artistic career has been devoted to musical theatre. Since 2007, he has worked as musical assistant, pianist and keyboard player in numerous opera, operetta and musical productions at Graz Opera and the city theatres of Klagenfurt and Leoben. In the 2016/17 season, he conducted the musical Chess in Graz. Alongside his theatre work, Wasserfaller maintains an active concert career as pianist, accompanist and chamber musician, appearing in a wide range of classical, jazz and crossover projects. Particularly notable are his longstanding collaborations with pianist Eike Straub and with clarinettist Corinna Wasserfaller. He also taught for several years at the Music Gymnasium Graz. Since returning from Vienna to Althofen, he has combined his artistic work with cultural management and has served as cultural coordinator of the city since 2022.
Dušan Simović is a musician, pedagogue and multi-instrumentalist whose artistic activity encompasses classical music, jazz and contemporary improvisational practice. After completing his early musical education in Sarajevo, he continued his studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, where he graduated in concert guitar under Martin Myslivecek. He later specialised in jazz double bass with Wayne Darling, focusing particularly on ensemble direction, and in 2024 completed studies in instrumental and vocal pedagogy at the Friedrich Gulda School of Music in Vienna. His artistic work is distinguished by stylistic versatility, refined ensemble musicianship and a strong affinity for improvisation. Simović has collaborated with numerous internationally renowned jazz artists, among them Wynton Marsalis, Dave Liebman, Bill Frisell, Joe Pass, Ray Brown and Dusko Goykovich, appearing in concerts and tours with a broad spectrum of European and American jazz musicians. Alongside his performing career, he has been active as an educator at several music institutions in Graz, including the New England Music Academy Graz and the Music School Hausmannstätten. His work continues to combine pedagogical engagement with an active presence on the contemporary jazz scene.
John Wasserfall is a percussionist whose musical activity bridges orchestral performance and contemporary popular music. He began his musical education at an early age, studying percussion, drum set, piano and violoncello, and was admitted to the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz while still at school. He is currently active in Vienna as principal timpanist of the Orchesterverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien, while simultaneously pursuing a broad range of projects beyond the classical repertoire. As a drummer, he performs in ensembles spanning jazz, rock, pop and reggae, combining rhythmic precision with stylistic versatility and openness toward diverse musical idioms.
Admission free. Complimentary tickets are courtesy of Press Clipping, GenLan, iHELP, and many other sponsors, partners, and supporters of the Imago Sloveniae Festival.
Tickets are available at the venue an hour before the event. Reservations are not possible.
Voluntary contributions to support the program are appreciated.
In collaboration with:
