The musical triptych finale of the fifth Epidaurus Festival will offer three very different and challenging performances. The first of the three recitals is features works for clarinet and piano. In Cavtat’s Dom Kultura on Thursday, September 22nd at 8:30pm, we will introduce clarinetist Michael Paar and pianist John Pernicki. The two artsits from Zagreb connected and became friends at the Epidaurus Festival, and so we happily look forward to their continued cooperation and hope they will meet with much success in the future. Mihael Paar (Zagreb, 1980) has recently joined the ranks of the most respected Croatian clarinetists. His unique use of special techniques has earned him several consecutive wins at international competitions, followed by invitations to perform throughout Croatia and abroad.  Paar is recognized as one of today’s most versatile artists whose clearly profiled musical credo has won the affections of audiences and critics.  Paar is a graduate of the Music Academy in Zagreb, and after completing his diploma there, went on to specialize in the German school of clarinet performance and obtained his Masters degree summa cum laude from the famed Salzberg Mozarteum. Ivan Pernicki (Zagreb, 1983) graduated from the Music Academy in Zagreb and continued his studies at La Schola Cantorum in Paris, in the class of pianist Eugen Indjić. He has won numerous awards through his musical education, and has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States.  In October of 2008, he was invited to perform the premiere of a composition by composer E. Ewanzena at the Juilliard School in New York.  He has recorded for HRT radio and television, and has recorded two solo CDs. Pernicki is the Vice President and a founding member of the JinLun musical association, as well as a professor at the Vatroslav Lisinski music school in Zagreb. The program will include works of Franz Danzi, W.A. Mozart, Francis Poulenc, Béla Kovács and others.

photo: Josip Regović