Vjekoslav Šutej

Vjekoslav Šutej (8 March 1931 – 2 May 2002) was a renowned Croatian conductor and composer. He was a significant figure in the music world, particularly in the development of 20th-century classical and experimental music.

Early Life and Education

Šutej was born in Zagreb, Croatia. He studied music theory, composition, and conducting at the Music Academy in his hometown. He furthered his studies in Paris, where he attended the Conservatoire de Paris and the Darmstadt Summer Courses.

Career

In 1959, Šutej co-founded the Zagreb Music Biennale, an international festival of contemporary music. He served as its first secretary-general and later as its president. He was also a member of the New Tendencies art movement in Zagreb, contributing to the development of computer art and conceptual art.

As a conductor, Šutej worked with various orchestras around the world, including the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, and the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra. He was known for his interpretations of contemporary music, particularly works by Stravinsky, Bartók, and Schoenberg.

As a composer, Šutej's works were characterized by their experimental nature. He often incorporated elements of aleatoric music, serialism, and electronic music into his compositions.

Legacy

Šutej's contributions to music and the arts have been recognized with several awards, including the Vladimir Nazor Award for lifetime achievement in music. His works continue to be performed and studied, and his influence can be seen in the works of many contemporary composers.