Mirjana Živković studied composition at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade (Stanojlo Rajičić, BA in 1964). 1967-68 she was in Paris attending graduate courses with Nadia Boulanger (composition, harmony, analysis) and Olivier Messiaen (composition). In 1974 she obtained a master’s degree at the Faculty of Music. She taught harmony, counterpoint, music forms and composition at the J. Slavenski School of Music in Belgrade. In 1976 she became assistant professor at the Faculty of Music, subsequently associate and then full professor (Harmony, Methods of Teaching Music Theory). She was the head of the Music Theory Department 1998-2001.

She has won important recognitions: the Award of the Serbian Broadcasting System and the Stevan Hristić Award in 1964, First Prize of the Fontainebleau Conservatory, France 1968; awards of Serbian Composers Association, Golden Plaque of the University of Arts in Belgrade for pedagogical work in1997.

Her oeuvre comprises symphonic and concerto works, chamber and solo, vocal vocal- instrumental etc. She is the author of a number of textbook and articles published in magazines, encyclopedias and journals.

Three Folk songs, on poetry by Desanka Maksimović from the Collection “No Man’s Land” These songs may or may not be performed as a cycle. They have their melodic and harmonic constants, sometimes related, as well as important contrapuntal motives, but it is ultimately the profound and somber meaning of the poetic word expressed by our great poet what incited this musical statement.