QUINTETTO SLOWIND with ALJAŽ BEGUŠ

Founded in 1994, the Slowind Wind Quintet has become Slovenia’s most prominent contemporary music ensemble. In addition to performing virtually the entire standard wind quintet repertoire, the members of Slowind have earned a reputation as uncompromising interpreters of contemporary music – from the classics of the avant-garde to works by emerging composers, many of whom are young and promising voices not yet widely known. By commissioning new works, Slowind actively supports young Slovenian composers and frequently accepts invitations to premiere new pieces across major European stages. Over the years, the ensemble has also developed long-term collaborations with leading international composers such as Vinko Globokar, Robert Aitken, Heinz Holliger, Jürg Wyttenbach, Vito Žuraj, Ivan Fedele, Toshio Hosokawa, Uroš Rojko, Martin Smolka, Victor Staub, Ingvar Lidholm Nilsson, Gérard Buquet, Niels Rosing-Schow, Nina Šenk and others, many of whom have dedicated works to them or involved them in their artistic projects. Slowind is a regular guest at major contemporary music festivals, including Ars Musica (Brussels), Bern Biennale, Klangspuren (Innsbruck), New Music Concerts Series (Toronto), Contempuls (Prague), Théâtre Dunois (Paris), Venice Biennale, Zagreb Music Biennale, SWR Stuttgart Ars Nova Festival, and the Takefu International Music Festival. On the national scene, the ensemble has recently expanded its activities within Slovenian musical life by organizing two annual events: the Slowind Spring, a short spring festival, and the Slowind Festival in autumn. Initially, these events featured collaborations with renowned artists such as H. Holliger, R. Aitken, A. Lonquich, A. Engegård, A. Madžar, M. Bekavac, S. Davislim, C. Iven, M. Pintscher, M. Würsch, N. Yoshino, and M. Miyata. Slowind’s mission has been to promote contemporary chamber repertoire while introducing major 20th-century composers – such as Edgard Varèse, Elliott Carter, Vinko Globokar, Toru Takemitsu and Ivan Fedele – who remain relatively unfamiliar to Slovenian audiences. The ensemble has also built close partnerships with leading contemporary music groups, members of Slovenian symphony orchestras, and acclaimed chamber and vocal ensembles. In 2018, Slowind celebrated its 20th and final Slowind Festival. Over the years, it has received numerous honors, including the Župančič Award (1999), the Prešeren Fund Award (2003), and the Betetto Award (2013).