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 won important recognitions: the Award of the Serbian Broadcasting System and the Stevan Hristić Award in 1964 (Sinfonia polifonica), First Prize of the Fontainebleau Conservatory, France 1968 (Incantation); 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 and journals.

Little Market (from an old songbook)

Some time ago I found a small notebook from my school days with some folk and old sentimental songs, copied from some forgotten songbook. At the same time an invitation from the Composers’ Association came to participate in the contest “Shine of Voice”. Fulfilled with reminiscing of the songs that were often sung in our home and wanting to bring them out of oblivion, I have adapted many of them as easy piano pieces. However, the two of them have, by combining their lyrics, imposed themselves as an inspiration for an allegorically-ironic piece. Here are the words: “1) Village, sunshine, sudden evening, a soft moonlight, and a massive merry-making as a raging river; 2) A small market, hay ho, sunk by river Sava…”Their melodies have proved suitable for variations, for a soprano and a tenor, accompanied by an instrumental ensemble similar to some folk “band” (clarinet, violin, double bass and accordion).

Mirjana Živković