Svetozár Stračina Grand Prix is an international competition and presentation of folk music recordings organized by Radio and Television Slovakia (RTVS) in cooperation with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Stračina´s World Society. It follows up the Prix de musique folklorique de Radio Bratislava competition which was organized by former Slovak Radio in the period from 1970 to 1993. After several years of interruption, the existence of the competition was renewed and since 2003 the festival had been held biennially in Bratislava, carrying the name after the above mentioned outstanding Slovak composer.
The aim of SSGP is primarily the support of creation and presentation of both traditional and arranged folk music. During the long year existence of the festival several thousands of recordings from all over the world - both European and non-European countries, had been presented within the competition, including i.a. those from Cuba, China, Tunisia, Vietnam or India. At the same time, the festival became a venue for the meetings of experts in the field of folk music, offering at an international level a space for fruitful discussions and mutual exchange of theoretical, technical and professional expertise. It helps to form the European cultural awareness and last but not least supports - thanks to possibility to use the competing recordings in broadcasting of the respective radio stations - the international programme exchange in the field of musical folklore.
PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES and BROADCASTERS SSGP 2023
| Country | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Bulgaria | BGBNR - Bulgarian National Radio |
| Czech Republic | CZCR - Czech Radio |
| Estonia | EEERR - Estonian Public Broadcasting |
| Georgia | GEGPB - Georgian Public Broadcaster |
| Hungary | HUMTVA - MTVA |
| Norway | NONRK - Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation |
| Poland | PLPR - Polish Radio |
| Romania | ROROR - Radio Romania |
| Serbia | RSRTV – Radio-Television of Vojvodina |
| Slovakia | SKRTVS - Radio and Television Slovakia |
| Sweden | SESR - Swedish Radio |
| Ukraine | UAPBC - Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine |
PROGRAMME:
29 March 2023 / Wednesday:
9.00 – 13.00: Listening sessions of competing entries:
Part 1: 09.00-11.00 – competing entries from these countries: Hungary, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, Sweden, Czech Republic, Slovakia
Part 2: 11.30 – 13.00 – competing entries from these countries : Poland, Norway, Ukraine, Sweden, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Serbia, Georgia, Hungary, Estonia, Slovakia
Svetozár Stračina Grand Prix 2023 – Gala Concert:
30 March 2023 at 19.00, Big Concert Studio of Slovak Radio, Mýtna 1, Bratislava
The Gala concert to be held on occasion of the 11th
edition of the International Competition of Folk Music Recordings - Svetozár Stračina Grand Prix shall offer to the listener a repertoire of Slovak folk songs, arranged by outstanding personalities and “giants” in the field of classical music, in remarkable contrast with a pure and authentic way of their interpretation. The selection of pieces from the musical composition “Obrázky zo Slovenska” (Images from Slovakia) by maestro Eugen Suchoň to be presented during the Gala is not coincidental. This year we mark the 115th
anniversary of birth of this renowned Slovak composer and at the same time, we commemorate 30 years since he passed away. The entire compilation is comprised of 22 pieces, arranged in 6 cycles. The sensitive fusion of the Slovak Radio Folk Instruments Orchestra led by Ján Kružliak jr. and the string folk music ensemble of Michal Noga in musical arrangement based on the creation by Suchoň reveals a variety of mutual backgrounds and blends between those two musical worlds. The programme structure of the concert also includes the piece titled “Omilienci chodia” from the cycle “Štyria hudci” (Four Fiddlers) for String Quartet by Alexander Moyzes.
Performing artists: Slovak Radio Folk Instruments Orchestra, artistic leader Ján Kružliak jr., Nogaband and the Women vocal group Vranky from Nitra