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The Slavko Osterc Ensemble (1961–1981) : The Principal Promoter of the Creativity of the Society of Slovene Composers Abroad
Jernej Weiss, 2026, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph

Abstract: The 1960s saw the formation throughout Europe of numerous groups specialising in the performance of New Music. Unlike classical ensembles, these groups were able to adapt their instrumental line-ups as required, and were particularly receptive to experimentation of every kind. In Slovenia they included both the Collegium musicum society, founded in 1957 by Pavel Šivic under the aegis of the Composers’ Club, and the Slavko Osterc Ensemble, founded in 1961 by members of the composers’ group Pro musica viva as a vehicle for the performance of their own works. The spiritus agens and conductor of the latter ensemble was Ivo Petrić (1931–2018). Petrić, who headed the DSS’s publishing arm Edicije Društva slovenskih skladateljev from 1970 until 2002, was also the ensemble’s artistic director from the outset. The ensemble’s activities encouraged the creation of numerous new compositions and contributed to the affirmation of Slovene creativity abroad. The ensemble gave almost 170 concerts, made 140 recordings for national and international radio stations and appeared in nearly 40 television broadcasts. It also premiered 65 works by nineteen Slovene composers, with 40 of these premiere performances taking place abroad and 25 in Slovenia. More than 110 performers passed through the ensemble’s ranks during its initial two decades of activity. Petrić was for the most part able to bring together excellent musicians, with whom he achieved concert performances of a high level of quality, as demonstrated by the numerous reviews published in domestic and foreign media. The paper focuses primarily on the ensemble’s performances abroad, while also highlighting certain events that marked the concurrent activities of the Society of Slovene Composers.
Keywords: Slavko Osterc Ensemble, Ivo Petrić, premiere performances, abroad, promotion
Published in RUP: 10.03.2026; Views: 468; Downloads: 6
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Recent Slovene Music and its Interpreters
Niall O’Loughlin, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph

Abstract: A serious new music culture has been very strong in Slovenia, specially in the second half of the 20th century. The foundation for this has been very much enabled by the high-level skills and application of the performers, the interpreters of the music. This has encouraged the determination and enthusiasm of the composers, as well as the attention and participation of the audiences. Performers such as the violinist Igor Ozim, the pianist Aci Bertoncelj, the conductor Ivo Petrić and the Slovenska filharmonija and RTV Symphony Orchestra have been particularly notable in this process, giving a strong platform for new music. Vocal music at this time has been less prominent in new music by younger composers because performers seemed to be more involved in interpreting the older Lieder repertory. From the time of independence and into the 21st century, conditions have changed. All the signs were there that building on the achievements of the 20th century, there was a tremendous surge of enthusiasm for ensuring that a serious music culture was reinvigorated and growing. Solo instrumentalists and singers were trained to an even higher standard, making possible techniques and interpretative skills that were barely imagined earlier. Solo performers proliferated with particular contributions from violinists, cellists, clarinettists, flautists, brass players and pianists. Composers responded with large numbers of pieces that were performed at various platforms which included new music. While the adventurous ensemble music in the 20th century was mainly restricted to the work of the Slavko Osterc Ensemble, in the 21st century a number of new ensembles have been created with a corresponding increase in opportunities for composing music for these very skilled mostly young players. As earlier, a central role in encouraging the composition of new Slovene orchestral music has been the strong performing skills of the two professional orchestras in Ljubljana, especially in the orchestras’ concert seasons and in concerts of the Slovene Music Days. The attention to vocal and choral music has also developed very strongly among composers. Some opera singers who in the past have concentrated on the classics of the opera house have now been willing to attempt more difficult new locally composed operas. This has inevitably created a greater acceptance of new music in the opera house with composers producing new works, though this has been a very gradual process. Not only do older performers now pay attention to the 19th and 20th century ‘classics’ of Slovene music, but they have branched out into more adventurous idioms and they have been joined by the younger generation.
Keywords: performers, Slovenia music, Slavko Osterc Ensemble, Slovenska filharmonija, RTVS Symphony Orchestra, Slowind, Slovenian Music Days
Published in RUP: 19.12.2025; Views: 599; Downloads: 0
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