Rovinj Summer Festival: Hommage Liszt & Mahler
###
Within the Rovinj Summer Festival, mezzo-soprano and Festival art director, Katja Markotić, held a concert dedicated to anniversaries of musical greats Franz Liszt (100 years since death) and Gustav Mahler (200 years since birth). Accompanied by the pi
Rovinj Summer Festival: Hommage Liszt & Mahler; Katja Markotić, mezzo-soprano; Mia Elezović, piano
###
This rare combination of tunes by Liszt and Mahler, along the compositions by Liszt for solo piano, is a true find on our musical podiums, but in the wider context as well. In the famous cycle by Mahler entitled “Songs of a Travelling Child,” also known as “Songs of a Wayfarer,” interpreted by Katja Markotić, a recognised singer of Lied, the principal character is a rejected lover who wanders the world alone. It should also be pointed out this is the sole piece that Mahler wrote the text for himself. Along with the works by Liszt and Mahler, Katja Markotić also performed Mozart’s tunes, which were an ideal combination during the bridge to somewhat heavier Liszt’s songs.
The concert dedicated to musical greats and interpreted by Katja Markotić and the pianist Mia Elozović attracted sophisticated audience. That is, it should be remarked that the vocal lyrics bears the old name of Lied, and that the musical form holds equal importance on text and melody, so composers of Lied carefully chose texts of significant writers of their time. This is exactly why the interpreter is expected to have excellent command of language, understandable and clear diction, as well as the power to go deep into the notation – which is the sole guarantee to masterful interpretation. This level and such greatness require years of work which unfortunately does not impress wider audience, but are very much recognisable and appreciated in musical circles.
