BANJALUKA VIOLINIST CONTINUES TO SHINE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

Violinist Jovana Raljić from Banjaluka has captivated audiences across Europe and Asia in recent months, delivering a series of acclaimed performances that further confirm her reputation as an outstanding soloist and internationally sought-after concertmaster.

PHOTO: Glas Srpske

Performing with the ensemble European Soloists, Raljić enjoyed a successful guest appearance in Luxembourg, while also giving several concerts at Austria’s renowned Grafenegg Festival, one of Europe’s most prestigious classical music events.

A particularly emotional moment for the artist came with her recent performance at the Münchner Künstlerhaus in Munich. Appearing in this historic and highly respected concert hall, which has hosted some of the greatest soloists in music history, marked a significant milestone in her career.

“This concert opened doors for future engagements in Belgium, Luxembourg and Israel, and I am also expecting a new tour in China with a programme that combines classical virtuosity and elements of jazz interpretation. Two years ago, as a soloist and concertmaster of the orchestra Vienna Virtuosi, I toured seven Chinese cities,” Raljić said.

She also vividly recalls last year’s tour of Japan, where she performed in 12 cities as a concertmaster. It was her second tour of the country, following a series of successful concerts in 2023.

“Being a concertmaster, alongside my solo career, is a great fulfilment. As the leader of a symphony orchestra, connecting the conductor with the principal players of all sections, I have the freedom to shape the orchestral sound and make it more unified. Japan and China have audiences that truly understand music. The energy you receive from people there is something you cannot experience anywhere else,” she emphasized.

Raljić was recently invited to perform at the Italian festival Musica Mantova, where she curated an entire programme for solo violin without any accompaniment for the first time, choosing one of the most demanding repertoires possible.

“That is the only way to keep the audience fully engaged while simultaneously testing all the techniques you have developed over the years. Very few violinists dare to accept such an offer, but I enjoy pushing my own limits. The audience was delighted, and an Italian newspaper published a review praising not only my technique but also my authentic and sensitive musicality,” she added.

Over the past decade, Raljić has performed with the Vienna, Graz, Hungarian, Polish and Finnish Philharmonics, as well as with the Czech Symphony Orchestra. Despite her long-standing international presence, she remains highly motivated to continue growing as an artist.

“I never stop learning and exploring, because every performance is an opportunity to try something new and to connect with the audience in a unique way. I am always searching for a balance between technique, emotion and innovation. That is what drives me,” Raljić noted.

In addition to her solo career, Jovana Raljić is engaged as concertmaster of the Belgian Symphony Orchestra ‘Antwerp’, and for many years she served as principal violin of the Banjaluka Philharmonic. She began her musical journey in Banjaluka’s children’s ensemble ‘Vrapčići’ and remains the only performer to have won the Đurđevdan Festival twice, in two consecutive years.