Biography
Ilja Zeljenka (21.12.1932 Bratislava, Czechoslovakia - 13.7.2007 Bratislava, Slovakia) was one of the most outstanding persons of the Slovak composer`s generation, influenced by the classics of the music of 20th century and european avantgarde of 50.- and 60.-ties. Zeljenka`s work was already from early compositions evidently individualized in style. In the shaping of his musical language are notable more aspects, from neoclassicism, which became the base if his subsequent forming, through post-webern conceptions, influence of New Music and expresionistic feature of 60.-ties to compositions inspired by folklore or neoromantic orientations in 70.-ties. Above the tradition, with tendency to various expression nuances, sketched Ilja Zeljenka a new character of sound and form, also thanks to that were his compositions succesfully percepted in Slovakia and abroad. The composer won for his work many slovak and foreign awards.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.