Vasilije Mokranjac

Vasilije Mokranjac (1923  – 1984) was a greatly influential and renowned Serbian composer.

Though he was publicly recognized, Mokranjac often tried to stay out of the spotlight, being an introvert by nature and often more consumed with his work than fame. He was reluctant to follow any specific musical genre or fashion, especially those popular during his time. In total, he composed five symphonies, three overtures, and several concertos for piano and orchestra, as well as a Symphonietta for strings and lyrical poetry. Mokranjac devoted many his compositions to the piano. He spent the majority of his life in seclusion, perfecting what some call the masterpieces of Serbian compositions. Given his premature death, Mokranjac also had many unfinished works.

In 1984, he jumped from the window of his New Belgrade flat, from the never determined reasons.

References

• Great Serbian Composers
• Biography at the Project Rastko website
• Blic Newspaper, 21 May 2009