Mihael Paar » mozart

Accolades for debut recital at the 5th Epidaurus Festival in Cavtat

MihaelPaar.com — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:29:53 +0000

In a number of diverse music festivals along the Croatian Adriatic, a special place belongs to the Festival at the very south of the country, in the historical region of Konavle and their central and starting point – the ancient town of Cavtat. The authenticity of this picturesque place lies behind its name as it reveals the Latin syntagma ‘Civitas Vetus’ (meaning the old town), that modern Croatian name Cavtat derives from, while its ancient Greek description ‘Epidaurus’ leads to even further and richer history. It is this very name of the archaic Greece period that stands today as the headline of the Festival itself.

In such rich environment and the wealth of heritage, Mihael was particularly honoured by taking part at its 5th edition bringing into it a concept that was carefully designed to reflect the pallet of clarinet standards and oeuvre of the Mediteranian flare, both in the range of classical and contemporary repertoire. This intention, recognized and highly praised by the critics, resulted in the rounded program with performance described as colorful and inspiring, particularly due to Paar’s ability to interpretate wide variety of characters and colors, with the ever-present note of virtuosity of a technically skilled performer. Mihael’s debut recital at the closure tryptich of the Epidaurus Festival was accompanied by the pianist Ivan Pernicki, following the invitation of the artistic director, pianist and poet Ivana Marija Vidović. Photo: Miho Skvrce

The post Accolades for debut recital at the 5th Epidaurus Festival in Cavtat appeared first on Mihael Paar.

Recital at the Epidaurus Festival

MihaelPaar.com — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:46:33 +0000

“Fantasy on aria Là ci darem la mano from Mozart’s famous opera Don Giovanni showed us outright that, in front of audience, there were two skillful musicians, especially the clarinetist with already notable international reputation. Playing music was irreproachable, with the interpretation and virtuosity that Mr. Paar immediately imposed himself with. The three-movement Poulenc’s Sonata introduced to us all the qualities of Paar’s interpretation of melancholic, romantic and dynamic sections… Hommage á Manuel de Falla for clarinet solo by Béla Kovács brought out the artist in the special light confirming again his high performing technique and virtuosity. Mangani’s Pagina d’album was a real delicacy… Rosenblatt’s Fantasy on themes from Bizet’s opera Carmen could not leave us indifferent…

In the entire repertoire, Mihael Paar distinguished himself as a great performer. Though his great affection for the classics is obvious, he promotes contemporary music as well… Duo Paar – Pernicki not only made us acquainted with skillfully selected and excellenly performed program but they have also proved themelves to be young Croatian musicians who are welcome to the musical podium. The Festival connected the two young artists, while their inspiring playing music confirmed the slogan of the Epidaurus Festival, ‘Living with arts’.”

September 30st, 2011

The post Recital at the Epidaurus Festival appeared first on Mihael Paar.

Europassion 2009 – Gala opening featuring Mihael Paar

MihaelPaar.com — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:51:19 +0000

Mihael Paar was particularly honoured receiving the invitation to perform at the Gala opening of the Passion Heritage, distinguished festival which annually takes place shortly before the eve of Easter in Zagreb and other Croatian cities. The acknowledgment is even greater as his festival collaborator – the famous Zagreb Quartet known as the Croatian oldest chamber ensemble and the oldest active string quartet in the world – celebrates its 90th birthday in the course of 2009. The special occasion brought us a special programme feature: Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet K581 saw the light through its Croatian Integral Premiere and thus was performed on the basset clarinet, with Mihael Paar as the first Croatian clarinetist ever to do so. The Gala event took place on March 29 in one of the most beautiful Croatian baroque churches – The St. Catherine’s in the historical Zagreb Upper Town. NOTE: Passion Heritage Festival is a member of the Europassion Association since 1998.

The post Europassion 2009 – Gala opening featuring Mihael Paar appeared first on Mihael Paar.

Mozart’s 250th Anniversary at Closing Gala of European Week

MihaelPaar.com — Fri, 19 May 2006 14:52:47 +0000

Sebastian String Quartet and the clarinetist Mihael Paar who carried out the whole concert, presented themselves as the musicians of a highly sophisticated style and a strong inclination towards the works of the Viennese Clasics, especially those from the pen of W.A.Mozart. The programme offering what is the very best of Mozart set high objectives to the performers to which they, as already established artists, claimed with all good reason. Moreover special compliments go to the clarinetist Mihael Paar who, with the warmth of his instrument appeared to be an excellent counterbalance to the string quartet, performing at the same time as primus inter pares, yet without any pretensions that would lead him out of “chamber”. The artist studying at the famous Mozarteum School of Music in Salzburg for several years now, reveals in the interview after the concert that the style of his playing is distinctly German if not even entirely German, although he continues to play the French clarinet. To reach such a distinguished timbre, he has completely reformed the approach to his instrument, having also done corrections in impostation and respiratory technics. He points out that a sound like this so perfectly consistent with the works of Mozart, Schumann or Brahms, is being tended by the clarinetists coming from the German speaking areas which has been tradition ever since the time of A.Stadler, the clarinetist that Mozat wrote for. Clarinetists such as K. Leister, A.Brandhofer or W.Fuchs are among the best exponents of this tradition today.

It is also interesting to mention that Andrija Potroško, our well known contrabassist, a long time member of the famous Zagreb Soloists who did not hide his enthusiasm with the concert, in the end evoked his memories of the great Benny Goodman. Mr. Potroško was a member of the Symphony orchestra that Benny Goodman appeared with in Philadelphia in 1969 performing the famous Clarinet Concerto by W.A.Mozart. Mr. Potroško says that the expressiveness which he then experienced, he re-experienced today through the inspired performance of M.Paar, whose warm and rounded sound tranquilly celebrated over the aura of the Mozart’s masterpiece.”

The post Mozart’s 250th Anniversary at Closing Gala of European Week appeared first on Mihael Paar.