Stefan Milenkovich (Serbian: Stefan Milenković, Стефан Миленковић; born 25 January 1977) is a Serbian violinist.

Stefan Milenkovich
Background information
Born (1977-01-25) 25 January 1977 (age 47)
Belgrade, SR Serbia, Yugoslavia
GenresClassical
OccupationViolinist
LabelsDynamic
Websitestefanmilenkovich.com

Early life

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Milenković was born to a Serbian father, Zoran Milenković, and a Serbian-born mother of Italian descent, Lidija Kajnaco (Lidia Caenazzo).[1] He started playing violin in 1980, at age three, taught by his father and often accompanied by his mother. His first public performance, in 1980, was followed by numerous youthful performances, including the Newport Rhode Island Music Festival[2] and an appearance at a Reagan holiday special when he was ten years old,[3][4] as well as a performance for Mikhail Gorbachev in 1988 and an appearance before Pope John Paul II when he was fourteen.[5]

He participated in numerous international violin competitions, starting with the Jaroslav Kozian International Violin Competition before he was ten. Then, in rapid succession during 1993 and 1994, at age sixteen and seventeen, he took high prizes in ten international violin competitions. In 1993 he took third prize in the Menuhin Competition (England),[6] reached the finalist level at the Queen Elisabeth Competition (Belgium),[7][8] and won the Rodolfo Lipizer Prize (Italy).[9] He entered the Paganini Competition (Italy) twice and the Tibor Varga Competition (Switzerland) twice, in 1993 and 1994, taking one fourth-place and three second-place prizes. Also in 1994 he took fourth place in the International Joseph Joachim Violin Competition,[10] won the Louis Spohr International Violin Competition (both, Germany),[11] and won Silver at the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis.[12][13]

Academics

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Milenkovich studied at the Music Academy of Belgrade, receiving his master's degree in 1995.[14] His successes on the competition circuit, along with winning Young Concert Artists status at the 1997 YCA auditions,[15] led to his New York City recital debut at the 92nd Street Y in 1997, and his undertaking studies at the Juilliard School with Dorothy DeLay.[5] He was awarded a violin degree at Juilliard in 1998 and taught in various roles at Juilliard over the next decade in collaboration with Ms. DeLay, in the Perlman Music Program on Shelter Island, and as assistant to Itzhak Perlman at the Juilliard School.[14][16] In 2006 he joined the faculty of the University of Illinois, where he is an associate professor in the Instrumental Performance Division of the School of Music.[17] Since 2011 he also teaches on the faculty of the University of Belgrade.[18]

Performances

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Milenkovich has performed extensively as a solo artist, in duets, in a wide variety of other small groups, and as a soloist with orchestra. For example, he recently performed Bach, Paganini, Ysaye and Kreisler solo works at the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso.[19] He has recorded the Bach solo violin Sonatas and Partitas[20] and the complete solo violin music of Niccolò Paganini[21]

The 92nd Street Y recital in 1997 was one event in a long-running collaboration with pianist Rohan de Silva, for example, a 1999 concert at the Kennedy Center[5][22] and three concerts in Sri Lanka.[23] A long-term collaboration with pianist Adam Neiman goes back at least as far as 2001.[24] He has also collaborated with pianist Lera Auerbach[16] and pianist Srebrenka Poljak[25] and, working with Massimo Paderni, recorded selected Paganini violin/piano works.[26] Other duo performances include Kenji Bunch's Three American Folk Hymn Settings for Two Violins with Viviane Hagner[27] and a recording of Bunch's Paraphraseology with marimbist Makota Nakura on the Kleo Classics label.[28]

Milenkovich, cellist Ani Aznavoorian and pianist Adam Neiman formed the Corinthian Trio in 1998 while they were students at the Juilliard School[29] and this trio performed extensively for the next decade.[30][31] The collaboration of Milenkovich and Adam Neiman continues, often with violist Che-Yen (Brian) Chen. For example, these three were joined by cellist Bion Tsang for the opening concert of the 2017 Manchester Music Festival.[32][33] The Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players series is an important outlet for Milenkovich's performance of chamber music, including a 2006 performance of an octet by Joachim Raff[34] and a 2017 concert which featured Beethoven's second Razumovsky quartet and a Spohr quintet.[35] Milenkovich played lead violin at a concert[36] in the 2010 Naumburg Summer Concert Series, consisting of Bach's D minor keyboard concerto with pianist Stephen Beus, Mendelssohn's E-flat Major Octet, and a cello quintet by Friedrich Dotzauer with cellist David Requiro, a co-winner of the 2008 International Naumburg Competition. Beus, Requiro and Milenkovich continue to collaborate in Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players concerts.[37] Milenkovich, cellist Riccardo Agosti, and violinist Pier Domenico Sommati have recorded selected Paganini chamber works[38] and Milenkovich participated in recording CD #8 in 10-CD set of the complete Paganini chamber music oeuvre.[39] He sometimes dances as he plays the violin, especially in non-classical settings.[40] Milenkovich has played tango concerts both in Europe[41][42] and in the United States.[43]

Milenkovich has performed the solo part in the violin concertos of Beethoven,[44] Bruch (G minor),[45] Dvořák,[46] Mendelssohn (E minor),[47] Sibelius[48] and Tchaikovsky.[49] He has recorded the violin concertos by Brahms and by Glazunov with the Slovenia Symphony Orchestra conducted by En Shao.[50] Orchestras with whom Milenkovich has appeared include the Aspen Chamber Symphony, the Bacău Filarmonica [ro], the National Orchestra of Belgium, the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra, the Orchestra of Radio-France, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Lake Forest Symphony, the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the São Paulo State Symphony, the Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Utah Symphony chamber orchestra.[40]

In 2020 Milenković started living in Serbia with his family, and he started to work as the director of the concert hall of the city of Novi Sad.[51]

Instruments

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Milenkovich has performed on the “Lyall” Stradivari violin (1702) and the “Sennhauser” Guarneri del Gesú (1735) on loan from the Stradivari Society.[52] From 2006 until 2017, he performed on a violin by Peter Aznavoorian (Chicago, 2006).[18] Currently, Milenkovich owns and plays a violin by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini (Turin, 1783).[53] He most often uses “Berg” bows by bowmaker Michael Duff of Bloomington, Indiana[54]

Awards

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In 2021 he was awarded the Order of Karađorđe's Star.[55]

Discography

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  • Vittorio Giannini: Quintet for Piano and Strings; Trio for Piano and Strings [World Premiere Recordings][56]
  • Complete Music for Solo Violin[56]
  • Paganini: In cor più non mi sento[56]
  • Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, BWV 1001–1006[56]
  • Paganini Recital[56]
  • Tango Compass[56]
  • Stefan Milenkovich Brahms & Glazunov[56]

References

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  1. ^ Nikolić, Aleksandar (January 1, 2015). "Stefan Milenkovic: My home is with my mother in Jovo Ilić". Blic.(or, in Serbian) Retrieved 2017-08-26.
  2. ^ Runnion, Marge (September 7, 1987). "Stefan Milenkovic, Who Plays Like a Kid When He Isn't Playing a Violin". People. Vol. 28, no. 10. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
  3. ^ Trescott, Jacqueline (December 14, 1987). "In the Spirit of Peace; Reagans Lead a Joyful Holiday Special". The Washington Post. p. D1. ProQuest 306985442. (or, via UofIllinoisLib)
  4. ^ "Christmas in Washington 1987 President Reagan and Nancy". You Tube. December 14, 1987. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  5. ^ a b c Schwarz, K. Robert (April 12, 1998). "Succeeding Modestly Where the Mozarts Failed Miserably". The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  6. ^ "Menuhin Competition – Laureates Archive". Menuhin Competition Trust.
  7. ^ "Final 1993: Stefan Milenkovic". Queen Elizabeth Competition. June 2, 1993. Archived from the original on 2017-06-30. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  8. ^ "Final violin 1993 (May 31 – June 5)". Queen Elizabeth Competition. June 2, 1993. Archived from the original on 2017-06-30. Retrieved 2017-06-30.
  9. ^ "Winners of the 'Rodolfo Lipizer Prize'". www.lipizer.it. Associazione Culturale Maestro Rodolfo Lipizer Onlus Gorizia. 1982–2011. Archived from the original on 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  10. ^ "Prize Winners 1991-2018". Joseph Joachim International Violin Competition Hannover. Stiftung Niedersachsen. 1994. Archived from the original on 2015-04-30.
  11. ^ "Competition winners (Awards; Milenkovic, Stefan)". The Strad. 106 (1257): 10. January 1995. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  12. ^ "1994 Laureates". International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. 1994. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
  13. ^ Roth, Henry (December 1994). "Indiana tones". The Strad. 105 (1256): 1242–1247.
  14. ^ a b "Stefan Milenkovich, Violinist, Biography". musicalworld.com.
  15. ^ "Young Concert Artists Alumni". Young Concert Artists, Inc. 1997. Retrieved 2017-09-10.
  16. ^ a b "Alumni News: Apr–May 2006". Juilliard School. Archived from the original on 2006-05-02.
  17. ^ "School of Music – Faculty – Stefan Milenkovich". music.illinois.edu. University of Illinois.
  18. ^ a b "Stefan Milenkovich". Prone to Violins. October 19, 2014. Retrieved 2017-05-06.
  19. ^ "Festival Il Lago Cromatico". illagocromatico.com. Associazione Musica Libera. August 3, 2017.
  20. ^ "J. S. Bach Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin". dynamic.it. Dynamic Opera & Classical Music. 1996.
  21. ^ "Nicolò Paganini, Solo (complete music for solo violin)". dynamic.it. Dynamic Opera & Classical Music. 2003.
  22. ^ Broun, Ronald (March 17, 1999). "Stefan Milenkovich At the Kennedy Center". The Washington Post. p. C08. ProQuest 1707334353. (or, via UofIllinois Library) Retrieved 2017-05-01
  23. ^ Bandaranaike, Arun Dias (May 25, 2014). "The duo who click musically". The Sunday Times. Sri Lanka.
  24. ^ Ginell, Richard S. (November 20, 2001). "Violinist Stefan Milenkovich's Legato Smooths Out the Edges". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  25. ^ "Stefan Milenkovich al Teatro di San Carlo, Napoli, in duo con la pianista Srebrenka Poljak". Musica Progetto. March 28, 2014.
  26. ^ "Paganini Recital". dynamic.it. Dynamic Opera & Classical Music. 1996.
  27. ^ "Alumni News: Feb 2003". Juilliard School. Archived from the original on 2003-02-03.
  28. ^ "Alumni News: Feb 2002". Juilliard School. Archived from the original on 2002-02-03.
  29. ^ DLJI. "Dubrovnik Summer Festival/64 – The Corinthian Trio". arhiva.dubrovnik-festival.hr. Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
  30. ^ "GLFM – The Corinthian Trio". thrasheroperahouse.com. September 4, 2004. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
  31. ^ "DSF Archive – Corinthian Trio and Stefan Milenkovich". arhiva.dubrovnik-festival.hr. DSF Archive. August 7, 2007. Retrieved 2017-10-20.
  32. ^ Whatley, Meredith (June 28, 2017). "Violinist Milenkovich brings talent, drive to Manchester, July 6". Manchester Journal. Vermont. Archived from the original on September 13, 2017.
  33. ^ Lowe, Jim (July 8, 2017). "Friends open Manchester Music Festival". Rutland Herald. Retrieved 2017-07-21.
  34. ^ Kirshnit, Fred (September 27, 2006). "Plenty of Style Even Without Red Carpets". The New York Sun. Retrieved 2017-09-14 – via jupitersymphony.com.
  35. ^ Oestreich, James R. (June 30, 2017). "Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, Slavic Accent". Eloquent Understatement: This Week’s 8 Best Classical Moments. The New York Times. Retrieved 2017-07-01.
  36. ^ "Naumburg Orchestral Concerts – Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players". naumburgconcerts.org. July 6, 2010.
  37. ^ "Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players – featured on 'Our Net News'". jupitersymphony.com. March 18, 2017.
  38. ^ "Nicolò Paganini, "In cuor più non mi sento" and other works". dynamic.it. Dynamic Opera & Classical Music. 1995.
  39. ^ "Nicolò Paganini, Complete Chamber Music". dynamic.it. Dynamic Opera & Classical Music.
  40. ^ a b "Stefan Milenkovich". festivalhill.org. Round Top Festival Institute.
  41. ^ "Stefan Milenkovich & Marko Hatlak; Tango Compás". lifestyle.hr. February 15, 2014. Retrieved 2017-06-21.
  42. ^ "Pasión – at the 65th Ljubljana Festival". ljubljanafestival.si. July 28, 2014. Archived from the original on 2015-09-25.
  43. ^ "2015-2016 Laureate Series". International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. March 1, 2016. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015.
  44. ^ DeVore, Sheryl (September 1, 2016). "Symphony commemorates 9/11 with Barber, Beethoven". Vernon Hills Review. Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved 2017-10-16.
  45. ^ Reichel, Edward (August 17, 2015). "Review: Vladimir Kulnovic and Stefan Milenkovich". slmag.com. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  46. ^ "Teatro "G. Verdi" Gorizia". lipizer.it. Associazione Culturale Maestro Rodolfo Lipizer. October 24, 2003.
  47. ^ "Season Opening Concert 2017/18". National Theater Sarajevo. September 29, 2017.
  48. ^ Sawyier, Tim (October 16, 2016). "Illinois Philharmonic launches a season of music director auditions". Chicago Classical Review. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  49. ^ "47th concert series 2017" (PDF). Tutto Ciaikovski. Associazione Amici della Musica. January 7, 2017. pp. 6–9. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  50. ^ "Stefan Milenkovich Brahms & Glazunov". amazon.com. February 18, 2015. Retrieved 2017-07-30.
  51. ^ "Стефан Миленковић за РТС: Желим да Србија постане светска музичка велесила". Radio Television of Serbia. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
  52. ^ "Recipients – Former". The Stradivari Society. Retrieved 2017-08-30.
  53. ^ "The Four Centuries Gallery – Giovanni Battista Guadagnini". ingleshayday.com. Ingles & Hayday.
  54. ^ Duff, Michael F. "Berg Bows – Listening Booth". bergbows.com.
  55. ^ "Председник Вучић уручио одликовања поводом Дана државности Републике Србије". Председник Републике Србије. Retrieved 2021-02-24.
  56. ^ a b c d e f g "Discography". Stefan Milenkovich. Retrieved 2021-01-16.
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