In Memoriam: Anđelka Bego-Šimunić (Sarajevo, October 23, 1941 - February 9, 2022)

In Memoriam: Anđelka Bego-Šimunić (Sarajevo, October 23, 1941 - February 9, 2022)

The Academy of Music at the University of Sarajevo regrets to inform colleagues, friends and the general public that a renowned composer Anđelka Bego-Šimunić, a longtime professor at the Academy of Music of the University of Sarajevo, passed away on February 9, 2022 in Sarajevo.

She was born on October 23, 1941 in Sarajevo, where she completed her education. After graduating from the Gymnasium and the Secondary School of Music (piano), in 1960 she enrolled in the study of composition at the Department of Composition and Conducting of the Academy of Music in Sarajevo in the class of Ivan Brkanović. She completed the second degree study in composition in 1967, and the third degree study, also in Composition, in 1973, both with Miroslav Špiler.

She worked as a professor of theoretical subjects (Harmony, Counterpoint, Solfeggio and Music Theory) at the Secondary School of Music in Sarajevo from 1969 to 1975, when she took the position of a teaching assistant at the Sarajevo Academy of Music, for the fields od Composition, Orchestration and the Fundamentals of Composition and Orchestration. In 1985, she became an assistant professor, in 1994 associate professor, and in 2001 full professor for the same subjects. She was the Vice-Dean for Teaching Process from 1987 to 1991, and the Head of the Composition Department from 2006 to 2008. After retiring in 2009, she continued to teach at the Academy of Music of the University of Sarajevo until 2011.

From 1978 to 1987 she was a member of the editorial board of the magazine Zvuk. From 1986 to 1992 she was a member of the Association of Composers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its president from 1986 to 1992. She was one of the main organizers of the Days of Music Arts of BiH. On the occasion of 50th anniversary of the Academy of Music in Sarajevo, she received the Golden Plaque for outstanding contribution to the development of the Academy of Music, musical art, science and pedagogy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

She first presented herself to the audience in 1964 with the work Allegretto Scherzoso (1963) performed by the Radio Sarajevo Symphony Orchestra. In the same year she he Sonatina in Es (1963) was premiered, and in 1971 the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra was performed by pianist Milica Šnajder, RTV Sarajevo Symphony Orchestra with conductor Radivoje Spasić.

Anđelka Bego-Šimunić left behind a rich and diverse artistic opus presented in BiH, Croatia, Macedonia, Russia, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, France and the Vatican. Her compositional language, characterized by neoclassical, neo-romantic and early expressionist compositional manners, can be found in over 50 works for various ensembles, including 14 compositions for solo instruments, 20 compositions for chamber ensembles, 9 symphonic works and works for solo instruments or voice and orchestra.

A special place in her oeuvre is the highly acclaimed cycle of Premeditations [Premeditacije] (No. 1 and No. 2 for string orchestra (1977), No. 3 for viola, cello and piano (1978), No. 4 for symphony orchestra (1979), No. 5 for viola and piano (1982), No. 6 for viola, cello and piano, No. 7 and 8 for string orchestra (1988, 1998)). Compositions for solo instruments are dominated by piano works, Sonatina in Es (1963), the cycle of preludes Ad Perpetuam Memoriam (1976), Prelude and Adagio (1980), Ex improviso (1981), Sonances (1985), Mosaic (1986), Improvisations (1987), Prelude (1989), Cornus (1989), Concert Presentation in Three Parts (2000), along with Largo con Allegro for trumpet (1990), and Capriccio (1976) and Movement for cello solo (2000). Her chamber music oeuvre includes three string quartets (1964, 1980), Sonata for Bassoon and Piano (1978), Intermezzo for Violin and Piano (1981), Trio for Violin, Flute and Piano (1983), Uzmorje for violin and aiola (2006), Movimento for flute, clarinet, harpsichord and string quartet (1984), In Tempore for two violins and piano, Duo for two clarinets (1981), Call for clarinet and piano (2001), Simple Composition for four trumpets in B and percussion (2001), and Impressions for cello, piano, xylophone, vibraphone and four timpani (2005). Among her vocal are the songs cycle Wind at Night for soprano and piano (1994), The Poet's Ballad for mezzo-soprano and piano (1997), the song cycle The Magic Flute for baritone and piano (1964), Musical Paintings inspired by Edward Munch for flute, oboe and bassoon, along with Miniatures (1987) for the women's choir.

In addition to Intermezzo for string orchestra (1985), she wrote a number of works for symphony orchestra, including Symphony no. 1 (1966), Concerto Movemement (1971), Concerto for Piano and Orchestra (1970), Midnight Songs for mezzo-soprano and orchestra (1989), Episodes for symphony orchestra and Concerto Cantico for violin and orchestra (1994).

Commemorative gathering for professor Andjelka Bego-Šimunić will be held at the Academy of Music of the University of Sarajevo on Monday, February 14, 2022 at 11 am. The funeral will be held on February 14, 2022. at 1 p.m. at the „Sv. Josip“ city cemetery.