Hrvatski festival flautista / Croatian Flute Festival

04/01/2026

PETER-LUKAS GRAF (1929.-2026.)

S velikom tugom primili smo vijest o odlasku Petera-Lukasa Grafa, jednog od najznačajnijih flautista našega vremena i istinskog doajena svjetske flautističke scene.

Iako smo se poznavali isključivo kroz komunikaciju na daljinu, svaki je kontakt s gospodinom Grafom ostavljao snažan i topao dojam. Uvijek je djelovao pozitivno, otvoreno i s iskrenim zanimanjem za sugovornika, vrlo pristupačan i spreman na suradnju.

Tijekom 2. Hrvatskog festivala flautista naša ga je flautistička zajednica imala priliku upoznati putem video-zida, razgovarati s njim i postavljati mu pitanja, što je za mnoge bilo posebno i nezaboravno iskustvo.

Nagrada za životno djelo Vladimir Kondres, koju mu je dodijelilo Hrvatsko društvo flautista, za nas je bila izraz dubokog poštovanja prema umjetniku i čovjeku koji je ostavio snažan trag i u našoj zajednici. Ta je nagrada bila mali, ali iskren znak zahvalnosti za sve što je dao flautističkom svijetu.

Peter-Lukas Graf ostavit će trajan dojam na sve naše flautiste. Pamtit ćemo ga kao iznimnog umjetnika, vrhunskog pedagoga i prije svega kao čovjeka – otvorenog, srdačnog i nadahnjujućeg. Svima će nam ostati uzor, i kao glazbenik i kao osoba.

U ime Hrvatsko Društvo Flautista / Croatian Flute Association,
Renata Penezić

---

It is with great sadness that we received the news of the passing of Peter-Lukas Graf, one of the most important flutists of our time and a true doyen of the international flute world.

Although we knew each other only through communication at a distance, every contact with Mr. Graf left a strong and warm impression. He always came across as positive and open, with a genuine interest in others, very approachable and always willing to collaborate.

During the 2nd Croatian Flute Festival, our flute community had the opportunity to meet him via video link, speak with him and ask questions, which for many was a special and unforgettable experience.

The Lifetime Achievement Award Vladimir Kondres, presented to him by the Croatian Flute Association, was for us an expression of deep respect for an artist and a person who left a strong mark on our community as well. This award was a small but sincere token of gratitude for everything he gave to the flute world.

Peter-Lukas Graf will leave a lasting impression on all our flutists. We will remember him as an outstanding artist, an exceptional pedagogue, and above all as a person-open, warm and inspiring. He will remain a role model for us all, both as a musician and as a human being.

On behalf of the Croatian Flute Association,
Renata Penezić

22/12/2025

07/12/2025

[Review of the Festival's Opening Concert in the newspaper Večernji list!]

"These performances confirmed how incredibly rich and diverse the flute is — from classical virtuosity to contemporary sound possibilities. It is a special honor for us to host artists Denis Bouriakov and Matthias Ziegler, whose performances set the highest standards on the international stage. This concert was not only a musical event, but also a confirmation of the importance of cooperation that brings unique programs and unforgettable experiences to the audience. I would like to thank Renata Penezic, president of the Hrvatsko Društvo Flautista / Croatian Flute Association for the support and cooperation that enables us to realize such exceptional projects. I would like to thank the audience from the bottom of my heart for the exceptional response and strong support, which gives each concert a special energy," said the director of the Zagrebačka filharmonija - Zagreb Philharmonic, Filip Fak.

The concert was opened with a magnificent overture to Rossini's "Wilhelm Tell", in which Maestro Jans Carlo led the orchestra with precision, energy and a sense of Rossini's dramatic gradation, creating a powerful and effective start to the evening. The cello section in particular stood out, bringing an exceptionally refined and expressive interpretation of Rossini's famous solo introduction at the very beginning of the overture.

The program continued with Joaquin Rodrigo's brilliant "Concerto pastoral" performed by Denis Bouriakov, principal flutist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Known for his brilliant technique and impeccable articulation, Bouriakov once again demonstrated why many consider him one of the most important flautists of our time - an artist who combines virtuosity, noble tone, and interpretative clarity of the highest international level. His performance filled the hall with exceptional elegance and exciting energy, which prompted the audience to respond with prolonged and strong applause.

The second soloist of the evening was Matthias Ziegler, a Swiss virtuoso and one of the most innovative flautists of his generation, known for his exploratory approach and unique sound that combines classical music, contemporary techniques and jazz. Ziegler performed Benjamin Yusupov's "Nola" - a fascinating concerto for a wide range of flutes and string orchestra, a work dedicated to him by the composer, and which Ziegler premiered with the Zürcher Kammerorchester in 1995. In this performance, Ziegler showed an incredible breadth of expression - from subtle microtonal ornaments to powerful, deep registers of the contrabass flute. His artistic personality captivated the audience and created one of the absolute highlights of the evening.

The special value of concert was given by the presence of the composer Benjamin Yusupov himself, who enhanced the performance of "Nola" with his arrival and expressed his delight at the interpretation of Matthias Ziegler and the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra. The program concluded with the energetic and colorfully sumptuous Ravel's "Alborada del gracioso", in which the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, under Jans's confident leadership, once again confirmed its technical precision, sonic sophistication and stylistic persuasiveness.

https://www.vecernji.hr/kultura/svjetske-flautisticke-zvijezde-denis-bouriakov-i-matthias-ziegler-odusevili-su-publiku-u-lisinskom-1911814

05/12/2025

["Na jednu večer, Zagreb je postao središte flautističkog svijeta"]

Prije točno tjedan dana otvorili smo 3. Hrvatski skup flautista, fantastičnim koncertom u velikoj Koncertna dvorana Vatroslava Lisinskog u Zagrebu. Uz Zagrebačka filharmonija - Zagreb Philharmonic i maestra Jans Carlo, kao solisti nastupili su Denis Bouriakov i Matthias Ziegler, koji je izveo Koncert NOLA Benjamin Yusupova!

Iz odlične kritike Jana Haluza u Jutarnji list izdvajamo:

"Iz svekolikog simfonijskog instrumentarija izdvojen je najljepši i najsvjetliji instrument bez čije vedrine pjeva ne možemo zamisliti orkestralno suzvučje. Sada je ta koncentrirana zvukovna vedrina izdvojena u prvi plan, oko koje se isprepliće cijeli svijet klasične scene, tog okrilja duha i sklada, našeg staklenog zvona svakodnevnih briga i dnevne politike."

"Publici koja je te večeri ispunila Dvoranu Lisinski do posljednjeg mjesta bilo je važno samo doživjeti flautu u punini njezina izraza u spoju s najboljim dionicama našeg najstarijeg i najvećeg orkestra."

"Umijeće sviranja flaute svakako razlog zbog kojega Jans dobro zna kako funkcioniraju i drugi instrumenti i kako od kolega u orkestru izvući maksimum. Kad je netko muzikalan kao instrumentalist, jednako je muzikalan i u orkestralnim bojama, frazama i formama."

"S Rodrigovim se zakučastim prštavim slogom vješto odmjerio prvi flautist Losangeleske filharmonije, nekoć član orkestra njujorškoga Metropolitana, globalna flautistička zvijezda Denis Bouriakov."

"Yusupova višeslojna glazba djeluje blagotvorno; to je skladna kombinacija klasike i modernizma, uz snažne odjeke tradicijske tipično istočnjačke glazbe, ritmova i modusa, uz koje je skladatelj odrastao u stepama Srednje Azije. Djelo je izveo nositelj posvete i naručitelj Matthias Ziegler, veliki mag raznolikih flauti."

https://www.jutarnji.hr/kultura/glazba/na-jednu-vecer-zagreb-je-postao-srediste-flautistickog-svijeta-15647955

05/12/2025

Održavanje 3. Hrvatskog festivala flautista ne bi bilo moguće bez podrške HEP-a. Srdačno zahvaljujemo! ☺️ 🎶 ⚡

Glazba koja svijetli uz energiju koja pokreće Hrvatsku - HEP ⚡

04/12/2025

🇭🇷 Hrvatsko društvo flautista, kao organizator Hrvatskog festivala flautista, ovim putem želi iskreno zahvaliti svim partnerima, sponzorima i izdavačima! 🎶

🇬🇧 The Croatian Flute Association, as the organizer of the Croatian Flute Festival, would like to sincerely thank all partners, sponsors and publishers! 🎵

• Glazbena škola Dugo Selo
• Zagrebačka filharmonija - Zagreb Philharmonic
• Hrvatska elektroprivreda (HEP)
• Ministarstvo kulture i medija Republike Hrvatske
• Goethe-Institut Kroatien
• Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft
• Ministère de la Culture, Luxembourg
• Kultur lx - Arts Council Luxembourg
• Altus Flutes
• Haynes Flutes Wm. S. Haynes Co.
• Flavtelje - Daminelli Flavtelje Rok Flavtelje Slovenija, Daminelli Pietro
• Eva Kingma
• MUSIK MEYER
• Wiener Flötenwerkstatt
• Roz Trübger
• Edition Svitzer
• Note.hr

04/12/2025

[HVALA! / THANK YOU! ❤]

🇭🇷 Organizacijski odbor i volonteri Hrvatskog društva flautista od srca žele zahvaliti svima koji su na bilo koji način pridonijeli da 3. Hrvatski festival flautista bude ovako uspješan! 🎶

Hvala svim izvođačima i predavačima koji su ove godine bili sa nama - hvala što ste nas obogatili svojim umijećem, znanjem i iskustvom!

Hvala svim izlagačima i izdavačima na izvrsnoj ponudi instrumenata, nota, edukativnih igračaka, dodataka za flaute i još mnogo toga!

Hvala svim sponzorima i partnerima!

Hvala svim posjetiteljima iz Hrvatske, ali i zemalja regije što ste izdvojili svoje vrijeme i s puno entuzijazma bili s nama!

Iskreno hvala svima i vidimo se ponovno na 4. Hrvatskom festivalu flautista 2027. godine! ❤️

🇬🇧 The Organizing Committee and volunteers of the Croatian Flute Association would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed in any way to making the 3rd Croatian Flutists' Festival so successful! 🎶

Thank you to all the performers and lecturers who were with us this year - thank you for enriching us with your artistry, knowledge and experience!

Thank you to all the exhibitors and publishers for the excellent offer of instruments, sheet music, educational toys, flute accessories and much more!

Thank you to all the sponsors and partners!

Thank you to all the visitors from Croatia, but also from the countries of the region for taking the time to join us with so much enthusiasm!

A sincere thank you to everyone and see you again at the 4th Croatian Flute Festival in 2027! ❤️

03/12/2025

🎶 Kakav završetak 3. Hrvatskog festivala flautista! Flautist, dirigent, skladatelj i aranžer Gareth McLearnon - Flute okupio je samo za ovu prigodu 3CFF ansambl (3rd Croatian Flute Festival Ensemble), kojeg je umjetnički vodio kao dirigent i priredio večer za pamćenje! Uz njega su kao solisti nastupili Nicola Mazzanti na piccolu, flautisti Ransom Wilson i Wissam Boustany te pijanist Dario Sabol.

🎵 What a conclusion of the 3rd Croatian Flute Festival! Flutist, conductor, composer and arranger Gareth McLearnon formed the 3CFF ensemble (3rd Croatian Flute Festival Ensemble) just for this occasion, which he artistically led as conductor and created an evening to remember! He was joined by soloists Nicola Mazzanti on piccolo, flutists Ransom Wilson and Wissam Boustany, and pianist Dario Sabol.

📷 Mario Kociper

03/12/2025

[Recital - Kyle Dzapo & Ivan Batos]

🎶 Flautistica Kyle Dzapo predstavila nam je, uz pijanista Ivan Batoša, zanimljiv program glazbe američkih skladatelja Lukasa Fossa, Johna LaMontainea i Roberta Muczynskog!

🎵 Flautist Kyle Dzapo, together with pianist Ivan Batoš, presented us with an interesting program of music by American composers Lukas Foss, John LaMontaine, and Robert Muczynski!

📷 Mario Kociper

03/12/2025

Denis Bouriakov, Matthias Ziegler, Zagrebačka filharmonija - Zagreb Philharmonic, Jans Carlo 👏👏👏👏