Milenko Stefanovic facts for kids
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Milenko Stefanović was born on February 19, 1930, in Belgrade, Serbia. He is known as a very famous Serbian classical and jazz clarinet player. He was a solo artist and also the main clarinet player for the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra for many years. Besides performing, he was also a respected professor at several music schools and universities.
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How Milenko Stefanović Learned Music
Milenko Stefanović started learning music when he was just five years old. He studied at the Belgrade Conservatory, which is a top music school. His main teacher was Professor Bruno Brun, who is famous for starting the modern way of playing the clarinet in Serbia. Milenko also traveled to Salzburg, Austria, to learn more about playing in groups and orchestras. There, he studied with well-known conductors like Igor Markevich and Erich Leinsdorf.
Awards and Honors Milenko Stefanović Received
Milenko Stefanović won many important awards and prizes throughout his career. He was a top winner or finalist in major music competitions in Yugoslavia and other countries. These included competitions in Sarajevo (1952), Skopje (1954), Ljubljana (1956), Moscow (1957), Munich (1957), Geneva (1957), and Prague (1959).
He also received special awards for his concerts in Belgrade in 1976, 1981, and 1986. In 1962, he was given the 7th July Award, which is the highest award for arts in Serbia. In 2007, he got a special award for his huge contributions to Serbian culture. Then, in 2010, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Musical Artists of Serbia.
Milenko Stefanović's Performance Career
Milenko Stefanović had a very long and successful career as a performer. He played concerts all over Europe, Africa, and North America. He recorded music for many important radio and television stations in countries like the United Kingdom, Italy, France, the USSR, and Germany.
He performed as a solo artist and also with many different music groups and orchestras. He worked with famous conductors and musicians such as Herbert von Karajan, Lorin Maazel, and Leopold Stokowski. A very special moment in his career was in 1961 when he played Copland’s Clarinet Concerto with the composer himself, Aaron Copland, conducting the orchestra!
For many years, from 1954 to 1976, he was the main clarinet player for the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra. Besides classical music, Milenko Stefanović also played jazz. He performed as a solo jazz artist and was part of groups like the Belgrade Jazz Trio. Many famous composers from Yugoslavia even wrote clarinet pieces especially for him. He was also often asked to be a judge for music competitions in Yugoslavia and other countries.
Milenko Stefanović's Compositions
Milenko Stefanović also created his own music. He wrote many jazz compositions and even some music for movies.
Milenko Stefanović's Teaching Career
Milenko Stefanović was a dedicated teacher. He taught at the Josip Slavenski School of Music, the University of Pristina, and the University of the Arts in Belgrade. Many of his former students have gone on to become music teachers themselves or play in orchestras around the world, including in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. To help his students learn, Milenko Stefanović also wrote several textbooks for the clarinet. He also held important leadership roles, serving as the Vice-Chancellor and a member of the Board of Trustees at the University of the Arts in Belgrade.
Milenko Stefanović's Affiliations
Milenko Stefanović is an honorary member and a former president of the Association of Musical Artists of Serbia.
