Hačko has that rare and enviable ability to conduct large, expansive works with great attention to detail while traversing the vast musical terrain with sustained, relentless energy that gives the performance both visceral and architectural integrity. Zvonimir Hačko conductor
THE MAESTRO - A BIOGRAPHY A conductor of international stature, Mr. Hačko brings to his work a broad artistic perspective, rich international connections and an in-depth knowledge of styles and repertoire. In addition to his leadership of Oregon Music Festival in the United States, he serves as Artistic Director of Österreichische Symphoniker (Austrian Symphony Orchestra) and Artistic Director of Lentia Festival (Upper Austria). He is a frequent guest conductor with orchestras in Europe, the United States, Asia and South America and a sought-after master teacher for young conductors by conservatories and universities around the world. Born and raised in former Yugoslavia, he came to the United States where he completed advanced degrees in conducting at the University of Washington (M.Mus) and Indiana University - Bloomington (DMA). Since the late 1980 s he has maintained an active international conducting schedule leading such orchestras as Brazil National Symphony, Haifa Symphony, Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra, State of Mexico Symphony, Symphony Orchestra of Serbian Radio-Television, Poznan Philharmonic (Poland), Istanbul Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana (Italy), Sacramento Philharmonic (USA), Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra (USA), Orchestra and Chorus of Croatian National Theater, Croatian Philharmonic, Orquesta de Camara de Bellas Artes (Mexico City) and many others. His multicultural background and experience have contributed to his in-depth knowledge of the European classical tradition as well as an avid interest in contemporary music. The maestro is also known for his flare for creative programing and innovative project design. His activities on the international scene have led him to many great concert halls and work with a number of prominent artists.
HIGHLIGHTS From the 2014 & 2015 seasons Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra (Georgia) Gershwin: Concerto in F Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5 Symphony Orchestra of the Brazilian National Theater (Brazil) Barber: Adagio for Strings Barber, Violin Concerto Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 From the New World Orquesta Failarmonica da PUCRS (Brazil) Barber: Adagio for Strings Barber: Violin Concerto Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 Italian Oregon Festival Orchestra (USA) Piazzolla: Aconcagua -- Concerto for Bandoneon Dvorak: Serenade for Strings Martinů: Double Concerto, OP. H.271 for two string orchestras, piano & timpani Oregon Festival Orchestra (USA) Martinů: Sinfonietta la Jolla Schubert: Symphony No. 3 in D Major Martinů: Sinfonia Concertante Op. H. 322 for oboe, bassoon, violin, cello & orchestra Haifa Symphony (Israel) Beethoven: Wellington s Victory, Op. 91 Gronich: Concerto for 3 Clarinets and Strings Mussorgsky/Ravel: Pictures at an Exhibition Concert at Autumn Tbilisi Itnernational Festival State of Mexico Symphony Orchestra (Mexico) Shostakovich: Tahiti Trot Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 Liszt: Mephisto Waltz John Adams: Excerpts from Shaker Loops Liszt: Les Preludes Orchestra Academic Baskent (Turkey) Bartok: Romanian Dances Reinecke: Serenade for Strings, Op.242 Respighi: Antiche Danze ed Aria, Suite 3 Dvorak: Serenade for Strings, Op.22 Istanbul Chamber Orchestra (Turkey) Fuchs: Serenade in D Major, Op. 9 Mozart: Flute Concerto in A Minor K. 488 Finzi: Prelude for String Orchestra in F Minor Carl Reinecke: Serenade for Strings in G minor Orquestra de Câmara de Cascais e Oeiras (Portugal) Gluck: Sinfonia em Sol Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 L. Mozart: Concerto for Trombone Schubert: Symphony Nº 3, D Major
FROM THE PRESS A mesmerizing performance... the orchestra played as if plugged into a high voltage current... Beijing Daily, China With the assured leadership of the conductor (Zvonimir Hacko) the orchestra sounded exhilarating and polished Münchner Merkur, Germany He not only made the walls of the great basilica tremble, but our hearts also National Basilica, Brussels, Belgium Extraordinary three nights... It is an achievement of unusual weight to present early masterpieces of this caliber played so well by such able performers of this stature in the early music field. Sacramento Bee, California, USA Led superbly by the (festival) Music Director Zvonimir Hacko, the performances sparkled. Sacramento Bee, California, USA The maestro led the orchestra with precission and energy that created a vivid music canvas and a convincing performance. Kronen Zeitung, Austria The performance, which showcased another regional premiere of Peteris Vasks work and two standards by Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, was executed with brilliance and conviction. It revealed the orchestra as a finely-tuned ensemble and Hacko as an artist of international stature whose passion, understanding of music, and technical mastery rightly inspire audiences. News & Review, California, USA Hačko conducts Shostakovich
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH Zvonimir Hačko as a conducting teacher While maintaining a busy performance schedule, Maestro Hačko also concerns himself with the artistic legacy of the future. For this reason he dedicates a few weeks each season to teaching young conductors. Hačko s belief in music education stems from his own educational experience which afforded him some of the best professional training available. While still a doctoral student at Indiana University in Bloomington, he held teaching and performance Assistantships which afforded him the opportunity to hone his skills both as a conductor and a teacher. At Indiana he pursued dual training in symphonic and choral/opera conducting and, after graduating with high distinction, embarked on a ten-year career dividing his time between professional conducting and serving as Director of Orchestral and Conducting Program at a local university. Since that time, maestro Hačko has taught many masterclasses and conducting workshops at various conservatories, colleges and universities around the world. His teaching philosophy is simple and straight-forward: to be a conductor one has to lead with credibility and conviction which stem from the understanding of the score. By pursuing a rigorous path of score study, manual technique, the historical context, period style, the composer, the orchestra as an instrument -- and by learning and understanding the work itself -- one earns the right to lead. In all of this, Hačko s passion for music, clarity of thought and quick intellect make his classes a transformative experience. Conducting Masterclasses 2014, 2015 Tbilisi State Conservatoire Tbilisi, Georgia Conducting masterclass Co-sponsored by Tbilisi State Conservatoire, Kakhidze Music Cener and US Embassy in Georgia Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) Porto Alegre, Brazil Conducting masterclass Concert with Orquestra Filarmonica de PURCRS. Co-sponsored by PUCRS & US Mission in Brazil Croatian National University Pula, Croatia Conducting masterclasses Performances with Camerata Austriaca Sponsored by the Austrian Embassy in Croatia & HNS in Pula Northern Arizona University Flagstaf, Artizona, USA Conducting masterclass; concert with NAU Symphony Hačko discusses aspects of a score with a young conductor at the Tbilisi State Conservatoire conducting workshop
CONTACT INFORMATION For booking and inquiries Representation KD Bergmann Tusch attn. Erika Sanchez Tel. +1 503 927 2910 Email: mgmt@imca.us Direct contact Websites Principal chairs of Seattle Symphony solo with Oregon Festival Orchestra at OMF 2015, Hačko conducting Email: zhacko@comcast.net The maestro acknowledges a standing ovation at the concert with Tbilisi Symphony Photo by Romulus Graphics & Media www.zhacko.com www.oesterreichischesymphoniker. at www.oregonmusicfest.org CREDITS Content: Marcia Rodrigo-Stratton Design: Romulus Graphics & Media Photography: George Induashvili unless otherwise stated Mo. Hačko and Liliana Ayalde, the US ambassador to Brazil pose for a photo after the concert US ambassador to Georgia, Ian Kelly and his were the honored USwife ambassador to Georgia, Ian Kelly and Mo. Hačko and Liliana Ayalde, the US ambasguestshis at Maestro s performance of at Maestro s A packed house: at the wife were the honored guest sador audience to Brazil pose forconcert a photo with afterthe the concert Gershwin s Concerto F at Brazilian performance ofin Gershwin s Concerto in F atnational Symphony, Hačko conducting Kakhidze Music Music CenterCenter The maestro acknowledges a standing Photo by staff Kakhidze Photo by staff ovation at the concert with Tbilisi Symphony Photo by staff