Marjan Mozetich

Gorizia, Italy | b. 1948

The Canadian composer, Marjan Mozetich, was born of Slovenian parentage in Gorizia, Italy in 1948 and emigrated to Canada in 1952.

He co-founded and was artistic director (1977-79) of the contemporary ensemble, ARRAYMUSIC. His works were performed by prominent new music ensembles across Canada and abroad, and have received several awards.

Stylistically he has evolved over the years from avant-garde expressionism, to minimalism, to a post-modern romanticism. Throughout, his music has remained accessible while still retaining an artistic individuality and integrity. Paradoxically, since the late 80’s he has achieved an overtly ‘traditional’ and yet distinctively modern voice: a blend of the traditional, popular and the modern which has been enthusiastically received by the musical public. His works have been performed and broadcast throughout Canada and abroad, even on Canadian Airline’s ‘in flight’ music programs.

In 1996 his lush romantic work, The Passion of Angels for 2 harps & orchestra, received its world premier with the Edmonton Symphony, and Postcards from the Sky was premiered by the Thirteen Strings in Ottawa. His violin concerto, Affairs of the Heart, received a standing ovation at the premiere with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra in 1997. When CBC Radio broadcast the concert performance of Mozetich’s 1997 violin concerto, Affairs of the Heart, the switchboards lit up from coast to coast. There were numerous reports of what those who work in radio sometimes call “the driveway experience”. This is where listeners are so captivated by what they are hearing that they remain in their cars listening to the end even though they've long since arrived home.

Mozetich has been teaching composition since 1991 at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where he resides. One of his most recent commissions was a cello concerto for Amanda Forsyth and the NAC Orchestra.