Ivan Josip Skender: Sonata for Guitar

Ivan Josip Skender’s Sonata for Guitar is a demanding work, created at the instigation of guitarist Krešimir Bedek after their gathering on the island of Pag. The Pag kolo, which brass bands often perform during the summer carnival, served as inspiration for its creation. For his recital in the Guitarra Viva cycle, in April 2024, Krešimir Bedek also wanted a work in the form of a classical sonata, which was premiered alongside the selected guitar sonatas. Bedek performed the first movement of this extensive four-movement work at the 74th Dubrovnik Summer Festival in 2023, and then actively contributed – with suggestions – to the creation of the work as a whole. In addition to the framework of the sonata form, the composition is interwoven with impressive folklore elements. A dedication to the town of Pag in the form of a quote from the Pag kolo appears in the third movement, while in the others the musical content relies on or deconstructs it. According to the composer, “through close collaboration with Krešimir, a composition was created that requires high technical skills and fitness from the performer, but also allows freedom in music making.” The Guitar Sonata was recorded on the CD Krešimir Bedek’s Klišej (Cantus, HDS, 2024).