VILLAGE LADIES - ROYA QUARTET feat. ZVEZDANA NOVAKOVIĆ
Hall of Saint Francis Kostanjevica Monastery
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"VILLAGE LADIES"
ROYA QUARTET feat. ZVEZDANA NOVAKOVIĆ
Petra Horvat, soprano saxophone
Weronika Partyka, alto saxophone
Betka Bizjak Kotnik, tenor saxophone
Jovana Joka, baritone saxophone
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The members of the ROYA Quartet come from different countries and cultural backgrounds, which inspired them to research their roots, the traditions and the music of their regions. Saxophone may not be a typical traditional music instrument, but as musicians, they have never avoided cultural heritage. With the help of the composers, they are trying to include traditional music into the classical saxophone quartet repertoire. The Village Ladies program was created in cooperation with the composers from Croatia, Poland and Slovenia. With a modern-day transformation, using modern techniques and structures, they have written compositions that appreciate folk values and are based on select traditional melodies. In addition to the saxophone, other instruments and techniques are interwoven in the compositions: electronics, vocals and instruments, such as fujara and baraban drum. The program is supplemented with original compositions or arrangements by composers who drew their inspiration from traditional music. Both voice and singing have a strong narrative power, which is why the versatile artist, composer and singer Zvezdana Novaković was invited to join the project. With her voice, she enriches the project with sound and brings it closer to the candid folk messages, emotions and narratives.
Concert program:
M. Ferek-Petrić:
Wild Rose for saxophone quartet
B. Papandopulo:
Šest krokija (transl. Six Croquis) for saxophone quartet
M. Kozina (arr. M. Ferk):
Bela Krajina
Z. Novaković:
Lipe bile maškere (transl. Beautiful White Mask) for female voice and saxophone quartet
Z. Novaković:
Bistra voda (transl. Clear Water) for female voice and saxophone quartet
Z. Novaković:
Mitrele for female voice and saxophone quartet
O. Wronikowska:
Historie z oddali (transl. Stories from Afar) for saxophone quartet, female voice and tape
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ROYA Quartet is a group with a distinctly multicultural identity, adorned with the diversity oftradition, experience, cultural heritage and values. The members of ROYA have been fused into an ensemble by their love for the classical saxophone and chamber music-making, accompanied by their wish to present the very best of saxophone repertoire to a wider audience. Through a variety of projects, the quartet is searching for different music genres and forms of expression. This turned into their annual Ladies Night event, where they so far presented projects »Ladies go Tango«, in collaboration with Quatro por Tango ensemble and the Argentinian composer Fernando Muslera, and »Village Ladies«, in collaboration with the singer Zvezdana Novaković and composers from Croatia, Poland and Slovenia. ROYA recorded compositions for the following albums: Art from Nina Šenk, wydziwiAnka from Anna Maria Huszca and Slovena Voices from Zvezdana Novaković. The quartet has performed solo concerts at festivals in Croatia, France, Poland, Serbia and Slovenia. With the rich temperament and individual charisma of each of the members, ROYA has been conquering the hearts of the wider audience.
Zvezdana Novaković (singer, harpist, composer, perfomer) takes much interest in different cultures around the world. She has found her way of expression in a traditional form of singing of Slavic and Balkan countries, the throat vocal technique. In 2011, she started studying the harp under the mentorship of Tina Žerdin, and now holds solo concerts and projects combining harp, voice and storytelling. She works as a freelance artist and is the artistic leader of many international projects.