Original scientific paper
TRADITION AND POST-MODERNISM The tenth anniversary of the death of Stjepan Šulek (1914-1986)
Mirjana Siriščević
; Faculty of Science and Education Fields, Split
Abstract
Stjepan Šulek is one of the most versatile artists in the history
of Croatian music. He was a composer, violinist, conductor
and music teacher. His first works appeared immediately after the
Second World War. In the continuity of Croatian music history
Šulek stands between the neoclassicists from the period between
the two wars on the one hand, and the generation of younger
composers whom he taught composition and who are still active
today, on the other hand. Šulek's work is extensive, and his mostly
instrumental pieces have helped include him in an array of
leading Croatian symphonicists. In the quest for his own musical
expression, Šulek remained completely "immune" to the avantgarde
search for new sound. Neither could he find satisfactory inspiration
for his creativity in folk music. His orientation in style was
a synthesis of sorts of baroque poli phony, classical form and romantic
expressiveness. Šulek sees in music its deepest meaning
when it provides a sense of calm for the listener, when it awakens
in one the aspiration for beauty, when it makes one a better and
happier person. All artistically valued music, according to Šulek,
carries within it a human element, thus the humanization of people
is the true creative challenge. Šulek's musical expression
based on tradition and the concept of post-modernism have their
points of contact, and it is therefore necessary to indicate the similarities,
but also the differences.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
32229
URI
Publication date:
1.1.1996.
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