Al niente – The Last Opus of Vasilije Mokranjac – After a Quarter of a Century Cover Image

Al niente – над последњим опусом Василија Мокрањца – после четврт века
Al niente – The Last Opus of Vasilije Mokranjac – After a Quarter of a Century

Author(s): Branka Radović
Subject(s): Music, Sociology of Art, History of Art
Published by: Muzikološki institut SANU
Keywords: prelude; clarinet; testament; meditation; meaning; Life; death; courage; complex song; latent harmony; music reception;

Summary/Abstract: This year we mark the 25th anniversary of the death of one of the most distinguished Serbian composers, Vasilije Mokranjac, whose diversified opus, of predominantly symphonic and piano music, greatly influenced on composers of his and subsequent generations. The last opus by this author is his Preludium for clarinet solo written a few months before the tragic death of the artist, who, in this as well as in his entire opus, expressed his anxiety over life and death, his wonder at the sense and absurdity of the things man does, the things he longs for and what he is preoccupied with. Written in a simple and clear form, the work carries traces of excitement, expressionism and neoromantic dualism which is the basic characteristics of Mokranjac’s composing handwriting.

  • Issue Year: 1/2009
  • Issue No: 9
  • Page Range: 85-96
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Serbian