Tilen Artač, grandmaster of impressions but above all an academically trained musician, has this time joined forces with the Slovenian Youth Orchestra. Together they delighted audiences at a concert treat in the Slovenian Philharmonic.  

The Slovenian Youth Orchestra and Klasični Artač promised a concert at which audiences would experience serious music in a seriously humorous way. Mozart, Strauss, Golica, Pazi, s kime spavaš, the Radetzky March … and all those gags. Well, the gags come from Tilen Artač, who has stepped into a field that had not yet suffered his intervention – in front of the orchestra. With cello and conductor's baton, as part of the Slovenian tour he also took to the stage of the Slovenian Philharmonic, where he led the audience on a stroll through the evergreen repertoire of timeless classics. The repertoire of this comic musical journey includes, for example, the perennial New Year's concert hit the Radetzky March, Eine kleine Nachtmusik, Nessun dorma and many other well-known melodies.
“I was really looking forward to performing with the Slovenian Youth Orchestra. Classical music is home to me, as I have devoted myself to it since early childhood. Of course, I quietly hoped for the orchestra's understanding and support. Fortunately, the young, talented musicians didn't carry me off the stage as a conductor. (laughs) I'm aware that I'm not exactly Riccardo Muti – I'm more of a Riccardo Malmuti,” says the star of the evening, Tilen Artač, with a smile, adding that concerts of this kind should be offered to audiences more often.  

ENTHUSIASM FOR THE PROJECT  

The Slovenian Youth Orchestra was conducted by its founder, conductor Živa Ploj Peršuh, who emphasised that the main aim was to create a relaxed and connecting concert experience. “We are extremely pleased that the collaboration is an inspiration to everyone, because artists and musicians – especially the young musicians of the Slovenian Youth Orchestra – must think about their audience and about music as the moment when it speaks to them powerfully, suggests, soothes and stirs. Tilen is more than excellent too, and judging by the audience's reactions I am not exaggerating when I say that Klasični Artač is phenomenal,” said the acclaimed conductor, who received congratulations at the after-concert party, which Artač unfortunately missed owing to exhaustion. But that did not spoil the festive atmosphere at the post-concert reception, where many well-known faces mingled.  

THE CONDUCTOR'S THANKS 

“The concert and the truly enjoyable get-together afterwards were the highlight of our performances in Ljubljana. Last Saturday and Sunday we sold out the Slovenian Philharmonic three times, which is an outstanding achievement for us and a recognition of the effort and dedication of everyone involved,” said Živa Ploj Peršuh.