“...keen intelligence allied to a refreshing musical sensibility...”
(“Classical Guitar” London)
Music of Vojislav Ivanovic, world-renowned guitarist and composer, has been described by critics, amongst other, as "superbly written" and "indescribable but indescribably delicious". His unique style, which utilizes elements of contemporary classical, traditional and jazz music is being said to "have an organic plasticity to it that expresses hundred percent life experience".
He was born in Sarajevo where he started playing guitar at the age of 10. He studied guitar first with Darko Petrinjak at the Zagreb Music Academy and obtained highest academic degrees in Classical Guitar at Athens Conservatory with C. Cotsiolis (awarded 1st class B. Mus. 1986) and Composition at University of Sarajevo with V. Komadina (awarded M. Mus. with distinction 1991). Both as a guitarist and a composer he was awarded various international prizes and distinctions. He appeared as a soloist in recitals, in various chamber ensembles and with orchestras worldwide.
Vojislav's diverse compositional output includes music for solo and accompanied instruments (guitar, cello, piano, flute, vocal etc.), choral and orchestral works, string quartet, piano and guitar concerto (“English Concerto”), songs etc. His “6 Pieces de Cafe” for solo guitar, amongst others, seem to have won a particular acclaim by the audiences and guitarists world-wide. Also he wrote radiophonic music, music for film (2nd prize Oberhausen film Festival, “Prix d’Italia” 1991 Palermo international film festival), theatre and TV.
His continuous interest, both as a composer and a performer, in traditional, improvised and jazz music begins with founding of the "Levantine Jazz Trio" with pianist and composer Milos Petrovic and percussionist Veljko Nikolic . It continues with founding “Levantina” band with drummer Srdjan Ivanovic and bassist Iotis Kiourtsoglou, collaborating with many musicians, notably sax players Dimitris Tsakas and David Lynch. He has played and recorded with some world renown musicians such as: singer Savvina Iannatou, double-bass player Arild Andersen, saxophonist Bendik Hofseth, drummer Paul Vertico (ex Pat Metheny group) trumpetist Paolo Fresu and others. In 2008 he forms “Levante Guitar Duo” with his wife Aleksandra Ivanovic. Since then they appear successfully both home and abroad performing his music specially written for the Duo.
His music in many different genres has been released on over 20 cd recordings and is being published by editions Chanterelle and Doberman-Yppan.
Currently he is teaching guitar at the Music Academy of East Sarajevo.